Prayer Flags Are Conquering the World – But What Do They Actually Mean?

Tibetan prayer flags, also known as «Lungta Darchog», are cheerful yet deeply symbolic cloth pennants that play an important role in Tibetan Buddhism and culture. The flags are widespread in the Himalayan regions but are also becoming increasingly popular around the world. Tibetans believe that the prayers and mantras printed on them are carried by the wind and bring goodwill and compassion to all beings.

Prayer flags probably originated in India. They came into the Tibetan cultural sphere when the 17th king of the realm called on the population to hang mantras in the form of prayer flags on buildings and in nature. The colourful, rectangular printed cloths are a fascinating example of the connection between religion, culture and nature. The simple act of hanging them is often seen as an act of kindness and compassion that helps promote the well-being of all living beings. Prayer flags are often raised on auspicious days, such as during the Tibetan New Year festival «Losar» and at the Saga Dawa festival, when the famous Tarboche flagpole at the holy Mount Kailash is replaced.

All prayer flags share their colours, which symbolise the five elements of nature: yellow stands for earth. Green symbolises water. Red represents fire. White stands for air (clouds and wind). Blue stands for emptiness (sky and space).

The most famous: the wind horse motif

The wind horse or «Lung-ta» is the symbol most often used on prayer flags. In the centre is a powerful horse carrying three flaming jewels on its back. These jewels stand for the three cornerstones of the Tibetan tradition: the Buddha, the Dharma (the Buddhist teachings) and the Sangha (the Buddhist community). The horse («Ta») is a symbol of speed and of transforming misfortune into good fortune. Around it, mantras and sacred Buddhist symbols are arranged. In the corners of the prayer flags are images of four powerful animals, also known as the four dignities, which can be associated both with the four cardinal directions and with different aspects of a Bodhisattva: the dragon (gentle power, west), the garuda (wisdom, north), the tiger (confidence and trust, south) and the snow lion (fearless joy, east).

Other popular motifs

Buddha. Buddha is a title for a wise person who has attained enlightenment and escaped the cycle of rebirth and death. Buddhists revere the Buddha as an enlightened being, but not as a divine entity. Buddhist teaching emphasises that every person has the potential to become a Buddha and attain enlightenment.

Medicine Buddha. In Mahayana Buddhism the Medicine Buddha is revered as a healing figure. The practice of veneration includes reciting mantras and singing praises in order to relieve illness and remove obstacles. In depictions he is shown with a blue body, seated on a lotus in the vajra posture and holding a bowl of healing nectar.

White and Green Tara. Tara stands for virtuous and enlightened action. She provides longevity, protects earthly journeys and protects her followers on their spiritual path to enlightenment. White Tara embodies the motherly aspect of compassion. Her white skin symbolises purity, wisdom and truth. Green Tara embodies active compassion, protects people from fear and gives them security.

Guru Rinpoche. Padmasambhava, the famous saint of the eighth century, was a central figure in shaping the history of Buddhism in Tibet. Revered as the second Buddha, Guru Rinpoche («Precious Guru») defeated the local deities and demons of Tibet and bound them by oath to become guardians of Buddhism.

Gyaltsen Tsenpo. This is a common prayer flag, especially at New Year, symbolising new ventures and beginnings. Gyaltsen Tsenpo prayer flags are printed with sutras that the Buddha gave to Indra, king of the gods, to defeat his enemies and achieve victory.

Mantras. The most common mantras on prayer flags are «Om Mani Padme Hum», which can be translated as «O jewel in the lotus». Each colour is assigned to one syllable of the mantra. It means that on the path of life, with will and wisdom, we can attain the pure body, pure speech and pure mind of a Buddha. Repeating mantras is considered beneficial, and the prayer flags help us do so.

Ashtamangala. The eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism, also known as Ashtamangala, can often be seen on prayer flags. These symbols are said to bring luck and prosperity.

Questions and answers

Are prayer flags only for Buddhists?

You do not have to be a Buddhist to hang prayer flags. Some like them simply for their decorative cheerfulness. And whether religiously motivated or not: just hanging the flags spreads positivity and goodwill.

How do I hang them correctly?

You will find a good place almost anywhere: in the garden, on the balcony, under the roof, on a pole, but also indoors. The higher they hang, the better they can carry their mantras into the world. When raising prayer flags you should have a good motivation, without selfish or limiting thoughts, and wish happiness to all living beings.

How do I dispose of prayer flags properly?

Tibetan tradition regards prayer flags as sacred. They should therefore be treated respectfully and not placed on the ground or thrown in the rubbish. If you want to dispose of old prayer flags, you should burn them so that the smoke can carry their blessings into the sky. You can also simply let them fade until they dissolve naturally, and hang new prayer flags together with the old ones. The contrast of old and new is a reminder of impermanence and the constant cycle of birth and death.

Which material should I choose?

We offer prayer flags in various materials. Personally, we prefer traditional cotton prayer flags. They fade faster than synthetic flags and can be burned safely. The fact that they do not last is part of their nature and recalls the central Buddhist teaching of impermanence. If you prefer flags with a longer life, you can choose those with a polyester content. For indoor use, the lokta paper versions are also suitable.