Prayer flags are conquering the world - but what do they actually mean?
Tibetan prayer flags, also known as "Lungta Darchog", are cheerful yet symbolic fabric pennants that play an important role in Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan culture. The flags are widespread in the Himalayan regions, but are becoming increasingly popular around the world. Tibetans believe that the prayers and mantras printed on them are spread by the wind and bring benevolence and compassion to all beings.
The prayer flags probably originated in India. They came to the Tibetan culture when the 17th king of the empire called on the population to hang mantras in the form of prayer flags on buildings and in nature. The colorful, 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 to promote the well-being of all living beings. Prayer flags are often hoisted on auspicious days, such as during the Tibetan New Year "Losar" and the Saga Dawa festival, when the famous Tarboche flagpole is replaced on the sacred Mount Kailash.
What all prayer flags have in common are their colors, which symbolize the five natural elements: Yellow stands for the earth. Green symbolizes water. Red represents fire. White stands for air (clouds and wind). Blue stands for emptiness (sky and space).
Most famous: the wind horse motif
The wind horse or "Lung-ta" is the most frequently used symbol on prayer flags. In the center is a mighty horse carrying three flaming jewels on its back. These jewels represent 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 the transformation of misfortune into good fortune. Mantras and sacred Buddhist symbols are arranged around it. In the corners of the prayer flags are images of four powerful animals, also known as the four dignities, which can be associated with the four cardinal points as well as 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 luck, 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 worship Buddha as an enlightened being, but not as a divine entity. Buddhist teaching emphasizes that everyone has the potential to become a Buddha and attain enlightenment.
Medicine Buddha. In Mahayana Buddhism, the Medicine Buddha is worshipped as a healing figure. Worship practices include reciting mantras and chanting praises to alleviate illness and remove obstacles. In depictions, he is shown with a blue body sitting in the vajra posture on a lotus and holding a bowl of healing nectar.
White and green Tara. Tara stands for virtuous and enlightened action. She ensures longevity, protects earthly journeys and protects her followers on their spiritual path to enlightenment. White Tara embodies the maternal aspect of compassion. Her white skin symbolizes purity, wisdom and truth. The 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 swore an oath to become the guardian of Buddhism.
Gyaltsen Tsenpo. This is a common prayer flag, especially at New Year, symbolizing new ventures and beginnings. Gyaltsen Tsenpo prayer flags are printed with sutras given by Buddha to the god-king Indra to defeat his enemies and gain victory.
Mantras: The most common mantras on the prayer flags are "Om Mani Padme Hum", which can be translated into German as "Oh you jewel in the lotus blossom". Each color is assigned to a syllable of the mantra. It means that on the path of life we can achieve the pure body, pure speech and pure mind of a Buddha with will and wisdom. Repeating mantras is considered beneficial and the prayer flags help us to do this.
Ashtamangala: The eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism, also known as Ashtamangala, are often seen on the prayer flags. These symbols are said to bring good luck and prosperity.
Questions and answers
Are prayer flags only for Buddhists?
It is not necessary to be a Buddhist to hang prayer flags. Some people like them just for their decorative cheerfulness. And whether religiously motivated or not, the mere act of hanging the flags spreads positivity and goodwill.
How do I hang them up properly?
They find a good place almost anywhere: in the garden, on the balcony, under the roof, on a pole, but also in the home. The higher they hang, the better they can carry their mantras into the world. When hoisting prayer flags, one should have a good motivation, without selfish or restrictive thoughts, and wish all living beings happiness.
How do I dispose of prayer flags correctly?
The Tibetan tradition considers prayer flags to be sacred. They should therefore be treated with respect and not laid on the ground or thrown in the trash. If you want to dispose of old prayer flags, you should burn them so that the smoke can carry their blessings to heaven. However, you can also simply let them fade away until they dissolve naturally and hang new prayer flags together with the old ones. The contrast between old and new is a reminder of transience and the constant cycle of birth and death.
Which material should I choose?
We offer prayer flags made of different materials. Personally, we prefer the traditional cotton prayer flags. They fade faster than synthetic flags and can be burned safely. The fact that they are not permanent is part of their nature and reminds us of the central Buddhist teaching of impermanence. Those who prefer to hang flags with a longer lifespan can choose those with a polyester content. The Lokta paper versions are also suitable for indoor use.