Tibetan prayer flag

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Lungta-style prayer flags hang along a mountain path in Nepal

Tibetan prayer flags are colorful panels or rectangular cloths often found strung along mountain ridges and peaks in the Himalayas to bless the surrounding countryside. Unknown in other branches of Buddhism, prayer flags are believed to have originated with the original Bön religion, which predated Buddhism in Tibet. Traditionally they are woodblock printed with texts and images.

1 Lungta and Darchor styles
2 Color and Order
3 Symbols and Prayers
4 Symbolism and tradition
5 Timing of Hanging and Taking Down
6 External links

[edit] Lungta and Darchor styles

Prayer flags in the Qilian Mountain, China

There are two kinds of prayer flags: horizontal ones, called lung ta (meaning "wind horse") in Tibetan, and the vertical Darchor.

Lung Ta (horizontal) prayer flags are of square or rectangular shape and are connected along their top edges to a long string or thread. They are commonly hung on a diagonal line from high to low between two objects (e.g., a rock and the top of a pole) in high places such as the tops of temples, monateries, stupas or mountain passes.

Darchor (vertical) prayer flags are usually large single rectangles attached to poles along their vertical edge. They are commonly planted in the ground or on rooftops.

[edit] Color and Order

Traditionally, prayer flags come in sets of five, one in each of five primary colors. The five colors represent the elements and are arranged from left to right in a specific order: blue (symbolizing sky/space), white (symbolizing inner-self/cloud), red (symbolizing fire), green (symbolizing water), and yellow (symbolizing earth).

[edit] Symbols and Prayers

The center of a prayer flag traditionally features a "Ta" (powerful or strong horse) bearing three flaming jewels on its back. The Ta is a symbol of speed and the transformation of bad fortune to good fortune. The three flaming jewels symbolize the Buddha, the Dharma (Buddhist teachings), and the Sangha (Buddhist community), the three cornerstones of Tibetan philosophical tradition.

Surrounding the Ta are various versions of approximately 20 traditional mantras (powerful ritual utterances), each dedicated to a particular deity (in Tibetan, deities are not so much Gods as "aspects of the divine" which are manifest in each part of the whole non-dual universe, including individual humans). These writings include mantras from three of the great Buddhist Bodhisattvas: Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), Chenrezi (Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and the patron of the Tibetan people), and Manjushri, .

In addition to mantras, prayers for the long life and good fortune of the person who mounts the flags are often included.

Images (or the names) of four powerful animals, the dragon, the garuda (a wise eagle-like bird), the tiger, and the snow lion, adorn each corner of a flag.

[edit] Symbolism and tradition

Prayer flags found between Lhasa and Shigatse

Prayer flags connect the two peaks of the peak of victory over Leh, Ladakh, India. On the other peak the Namgyal Tsemo Gompa can be seen

Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown upward as offerings to their deities and will bring benefits (such as happiness and good health) to all who hang them, as well as their families, loved ones, neighbors, and all people throughout the world including even enemies.

By hanging flags in high places the "Wind Horse" will carry the blessings depicted on the flags to all beings. As wind passes over the surface of the flags which are sensitive to the slightest movement of the wind, the air is purified and sanctified by the Mantras.

The prayers of a flag become a permanent part of the universe as the images fade from exposure to the elements. Just as life moves on and is replaced by new life, Tibetans renew their hopes for the world by continually mounting new flags alongside the old. This act symbolizes a welcoming of life changes and an acknowledgment that all beings are part of a greater ongoing cycle.

[edit] Timing of Hanging and Taking Down

Some believe that if the flags are hung on inauspicious astrological dates, they may bring negative results for as long as they are flying.

The best time to put up new prayer flags are in the mornings on sunny, windy days.

A darchor-style prayer flag in northern India

Sets of five coloured flags should be put in the order: yellow, green, red, white, blue from left to right. The colours represent the Five Buddha Families and the five elements. Blue represents Akshobhya Buddha and space, white represents Ratna Sambhava Buddha and water, red represents Amitabha Buddha and fire, green represents Amoghasiddhi Buddha, air and wind, and yellow represents Vairocana Buddha and earth. Prayer flags can be traced back to the ancient "Bön" religion of Tibet where shamanistic Bonpo priests used primary-colored plain flags in healing ceremonies. According to Eastern medicine, health and harmony are produced through the balance of the five elements.

Old prayer flags are replaced with new ones annually on the Tibetan New Year.

Because the symbols and mantras on prayer flags are sacred, they should be treated with respect. They should not be placed on the ground or used in clothing. Old prayer flags should be burned.

During the Cultural Revolution, prayer flags were discouraged but not entirely eliminated. Many traditional designs may have been lost. Currently, different styles of prayer flags can be seen all across the Tibetan region.

Most of the traditional prayer flags today are made in Nepal and India by Tibetan refugees or by Nepali Buddhists. The flags are also manufactured in Bhutan for local use.