Tibetan Prayer flags can be seen commonly in the Himalayas and Tibetan areas.They are beautifully colored clothing and are usually seen in the mountains. Today, they can be seen along the city areas, outside houses, or across buildings. You can see them beautifully hung side by side waving and dancing as the wind passes through.

Tibetan prayer flags do not only serve as a visual aesthetic but they also carry along a profound meaning in the lives of the people and devotees. The text and mantras written on them have different symbols and meaning which are based on the sacred concepts of Buddhist philosophy.

Tibetan prayer flags do not only serve as a visual aesthetic but they also carry along a profound meaning in the lives of the people and devotees. The text and mantras written on them have different symbols and meaning which are based on the sacred concepts of Buddhist philosophy.

The use of these Tibetan Prayer flags dates back years ago in ancient China, Tibet, India and Persia. Priests used colored fabric to represent the core blocks of one’s body which are the primary elements of earth, fire, air, water and space. They would use different colors for the different elements. During their healing ceremonies, it is said that the arrangement of the colored flags harmonizes the energies of the sick patient and thus brings him to a state of wellness. Just like these origins, the texts seen on today’s flags have deep meanings in Buddhist belief and practice.

The writings on these Tibetan Prayer flags have mantras which have meanings beyond words. Sutras which are text based prose can also be seen in these flags. These sutras, mantras and prayers are practiced religiously to give the devotee positive benefits. Whenever the devotee is connected with the divine, he vibrates with the energies of the governing existence.

Together with these mantras, there are also symbols imprinted that represent different aspects of a devotee’s being. Perhaps the most prevalent of these symbols is “The Wind Horse” which is a traditional Tibetan creature representing good fortune. Another kind of symbol, “The Varje” represents Indestructibility. Some of the symbols are referred to as symbol groups such as the “Four Dignities” which represent the attitudes and qualities needed for the path to enlightenment, “Tashi Tagye” or “The Eight Auspicious Symbols” is the oldest and perhaps one of the most popular symbol groups that represent different bearings of one’s life.

The “Eight Auspicious Symbols” compromises the Parasol, the Golden Fish, the Treasure Vase, the Lotus, the Conch Shell, the Endless Knot, the Victory Banner, and the Dharma Wheel. These symbols represent different aspect of one’s being like protection from evil, deliverance of happiness, fulfillment of material as well as spiritual wishes, gaining of wisdom and the meditative mind.

These prayer flags containing symbols and mantras are arranged side by side as vertical displays. Sometimes they are hung on vertical poles. When the wind passes through, it travels infinitely across space and it is believed that those who are touched by the wind are blessed with positive merits.

Although Tibetan Prayer Flags are colorful, the colors may fade over time. It is best advised to replace them as to respect the spiritual tradition. Burning the flags is the traditional way of discarding them when the imprinted mantras and colors begin to vanish. One should notice how these flags are used to gain good merit.

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