Everything About Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Flags

Last Updated: July 20, 2024

Tweet

Tibetan prayer flags hang in all Buddhist regions of the Himalayas. The colorful flags blow in the wind and carry their benevolent mantras far beyond the snow-capped mountain peaks into the world. So much so that Buddhist prayer flags already play a role for many people all over the world. But what is the significance of the Buddhist flags that also adorn gardens and homes in Europe? Immerse yourself in the meaning and symbolism of these fascinating prayer flags, whose messages dance with the wind and spread around the world.

Tibetan prayer flags are said to contribute to the peace, happiness, and wisdom of every living being. However, the prayers and mantras are not addressed to a deity, but are carried by the wind to all beings in this world. Buddhist flags probably originated in India. Buddhist flags came into Tibetan culture when the 17th king of the empire came into contact with Buddhist spirituality. He urged his people to hang mantras in the form of prayer flags on buildings and in nature. It was also this king who designed the current form of the prayer flag, a mixture of symbols from the Bön tradition and Buddhism.

Elements of Prayer flags

The wind horse is considered to bring prayers to heaven and is surrounded by numerous mantras for a long and happy life. In the most famous depictions, it has three jewels on its back. Almost every Tibetan has at least one wind horse flag hanging on their house or in their garden. This flag is intended to carry wishes and blessings into the world and bring good luck to the person who hangs it up. The three jewels symbolize the creed in Buddhism and stand for Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Buddha means the enlightened one who has achieved perfect knowledge and deep understanding. Dharma refers to the teachings of the Buddha, encompassing the wisdom, principles, and practices he imparted to people to overcome suffering and find the path to enlightenment. Sangha refers to the Buddhist community, including both the community of monks and nuns as well as the lay followers of Buddhism.

On many prayer flags, the wind horse is surrounded by the four symbolic animals, which represent the four cardinal points. The dragon represents the West, thundering in the sky with the sound of compassion, awakening us from delusion, and magnifying what we can know by hearing. The Garuda, bold and fearless, resides in the North, symbolizing freedom from hopes and fears. The Snow Lion, symbolizing the earth element, is located in the East and represents unconditional cheerfulness and the youthful, vibrant energy of good. The Tiger resides in the South, symbolizing unconditional trust, disciplined awareness, kindness, and humility, relating to the state of enlightenment.

More Insights into Tibetan Prayer Flags

Avalokiteshvara is an enlightenment being of compassion and understanding in Mahayana Buddhism. He is worshiped in Tibetan Buddhism as Padma Pani and in many forms. Avalokiteshvara is particularly important in Tibet, and his most famous mantra is “Om Mani Padme Hum.” He is shown in various representations, for example in the lotus position with four arms or as a standing figure with 1000 arms. Various of the approximately 400 different mantras of Buddhism are written on Buddhist prayer flags. Each mantra is dedicated to a specific deity, such as White Tara or Avalokiteshvara. The prayer flags carry these sacred mantras to carry their messages of compassion, peace, and well-being to the world.

Some well-known mantras include "Om Mani Padme Hum," which is attributed to Avalokiteshvara and symbolizes compassion and enlightenment. "Namo Amituofo" is dedicated to Buddha Amitabha and is used to achieve enlightenment and rebirth in the land of pure light. "Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha" is dedicated to the female bodhisattva Tara and is recited to overcome obstacles and promote well-being. "Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha" comes from the Heart Sutra and means "All living beings go, go all the way to enlightenment, so be it." "Buddham Sharanam Gacchami, Dhammam Sharanam Gacchami, Sangham Sharanam Gacchami," known as the “Three Jewel Refuge,” is used to seek refuge in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha and symbolizes the spiritual path of Buddhism.

Overview of Tibetan Prayer Flags

Type of Prayer Flag	Description	Image
Horizontal array	Decorates the sky with colorful mantras.	Horizontal line-up of colorful prayer flags against a mountain backdrop.
Vertical arrangement	Widespread vertical arrangement on a bamboo trunk.	Vertical arrangement of colorful prayer flags in a valley in front of snow-capped mountains.
Long golden flag (Serzam)	Stretched majestically over bridges and rivers to bring happiness and blessings.	Long golden prayer flag stretched over a river.
Pyramid-shaped (Darpung)	Hung in special places where tragic events took place or important personalities worked.	Pyramid-shaped prayer flags at a memorial site in the Himalayas.
White prayer flags	Found in remote areas due to high dye costs.	White prayer flag on a bridge.
General locations	Hung on temples, monasteries, holy sites, mountain peaks, private gardens, and balconies.	Various settings such as mountain passes, houses, and holy sites.
For home and garden	Blows in the wind spreading happiness and peace, suitable for home or garden settings.	Tibetan prayer flags in a home garden setting.
Disposal	Flags weather over time and are eventually burned, symbolizing the natural progression of life.	Weathered prayer flags exposed to the wind until they are completely weathered.
Material and printing	Made of traditional wood printing or modern materials like polyester, printed with mantras.	Modern and traditional printed prayer flags with symbols, mantras, and the Tibetan wind horse.
Colors and symbolism	Typically blue, white, red, green, and yellow, representing elements and cardinal directions.	Prayer flags with colors blue (sky), white (air), red (fire), green (water), and yellow (earth).
Cultural significance	Seen in the Tibetan cultural area, the Himalayas, and neighboring regions.	Tibetan prayer flags at mountain passes, peaks, temples, and monasteries.

FAQs

What do the colors of Tibetan prayer flags represent?

White: ignorance, Blue: anger, Yellow: pride, Red: desire, Green: stinginess/greed.

How do prayer flags address difficult emotions?

They remind us of our potential to transform negative emotions into wisdom.

What is the significance of the wind horse (Lungta) on prayer flags?

The wind horse carries three jewels representing the Buddha, his teachings, and the community of practitioners (Sangha).

How do the prayer flags spread their blessings?

The wind carries the good wishes and mantras inscribed on the flags to all beings.

Can the wisdom from negative emotions be experienced?

Yes, by recognizing and internalizing the wisdom, the painful effects of difficult emotions are alleviated.