Prayer Flags
Prayer flags, or more accurately “Tibetan prayer flags” are unique to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of Buddhism. These banners derive their origins from Buddhist sutras which were written on cloth in India.
Each flag is inscribed with various prayers, mantras, and symbols. Tibetan and other Buddhist practitioners post or hang these flags in an effort to send the prayers, mantras, and other blessings out to the world.
The idea is that once the flags or banners are hung outside of homes, spiritual places, etc. the wind will carry the prayers and blessings around the world to all sentient beings.
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US $12.00
In addition to placing dharma flags in sacred areas like Buddhist monasteries, it is also customary to place them outside of homes and businesses. Aside from the customary outdoor locations for flag placement, it is also appropriate to place them indoors as well. When placed inside, Tibetan prayer flags are said to increase the spiritual atmosphere or energy of the space in which they are placed.
Types Of Prayer Flags
There are two types of prayer flags, horizontal and vertical. The horizontal oriented banner is called a “lung ta” and the vertical one is known as a Darchor.
Dharma flags normally cone in sets of five and are colored according to the five elements of sky, air, fire, water, and earth. The representative color for each of these elements is:
- Blue – sky
- White – air
- Red – fire
- Green –water
- Yellow – earth
When Should I Hang My Tibetan Prayer Flag?
Tibetan Buddhist tradition suggests that the best time to hang a Dharma flag is in the morning on a sunny, windy day.
Dharma Flag Disposal
Old dharma flags should be replaced by new ones every year on the Tibetan New Year (Losar) which varies each year, but begins on the first day of the first lunar month.
