Maitreyi Paradigm- The Art and Science of Being Happy
  • Home
  • Maitreyi
  • Ancient Wisdom
  • Inner Healing
  • Wellness
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Inspired Living
  • Contact Us
    • Terms & Condtions

What are the Tibetan Prayer Flags?

9/11/2021

0 Comments

 
A Tibetan prayer flag, a rectangular colored cloth, can be found strung on trails or high up in the Himalayas. These are used to bless the countryside and the people and vegetation in that area. 

As per the legend, Gautam Buddha, who is the founder of the Buddhist religion and traditions, first used these prayer flags. It is believed that his prayers were written on the battle flags of the devas (divine beings) against their fight against the asuras (the diabolical beings).  Prayer flags were discouraged during the Cultural Revolution in Tibet, because of which many of the traditional designs might have been lost. ​
Picture
Currently, we can see several different prayer flag styles in Tibet and surrounding regions.  Basically, there are two types of prayer flags: the horizontal flag style, known as Lung ta, or the vertical flag style, known as Darchog.

Lung ta (horizontal prayer flags) are square or rectangular in shape. They are connected to their top edges by a string or thread. They are hung in high places like temples, monasteries, and stupas.

Darchog (vertical prayer flags) are usually large rectangles that are attached to poles along the vertical edge. Darchog are usually seen planted in the ground, mountains and on rooftops. They are symbolic in nature and are related to the Dhwaja (as mentioned within the very ancient Vedic Tradition). Dhwaja is a victory prayer flag, or a flag that indicates one's supremacy over the space
Picture
Prayer flags are traditionally sold in sets of five, one for each of the five colors that correspond to the five elements. This is according to ancient healing traditions like Ayurveda and Traditional Tibetan Medicine. The sequence of the five colors as arranged from left to right are- blue, white, red, green, and yellow.

A specific elements is associated with each color of these flags. In addition, sometimes, instead of the multi-colored flag-set, a specific-colored prayer flag is utilized when doing prayers or rituals for specific purpose, tradition or sadhana (dedicated praying ritual). 

In terms of the color representation of these prayer flags, blue represents the sky and space. White symbolizes air and wind. Red symbolizes fire. Green symbolizes water. Yellow symbolizes earth.

Traditional Tibetan medicine says that harmony and health are achieved through the proper balance of these five elements.
Picture

Read further:

  • What are the Symbols and Prayers associated with the Tibetan Prayer Flags?
  • What are the spiritual benefits of hoisting and displaying the Tibetan Prayer Flags?
  • Origin and progress of Buddhist Tantra and the various Buddhist Tantric Texts
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    ... also check out our
    Vedic Wisdom Blog

    Categories

    All
    Active Lifestyle
    A Message For You
    Ancient Therapies
    Ancient Wisdom
    Angels And Saints
    Animal Wisdom
    Archetypes
    Aroma Wisdom
    Art Card Journaling
    Arts And Crafts
    Ascension
    Bio Based Healing
    Body Based Healing
    Book Excerpts
    Brilliant Beings
    Buddhism
    Comfortable Living
    Conscious Living
    Crystal Wisdom
    Currently In News
    Daoism Or Taoism
    Death And After
    DIY Lifestyle
    Emotional Wellbeing
    Energized Space
    Energy Healing
    Flower Messages
    Global Vedic Wisdom
    Green Living
    Guidance
    Healing Activities
    Healing Music
    Healthy Eating
    Helpful Info Tips
    How To...
    Inspiration
    Inspired Living
    Journaling
    Journey To Oneness
    Joy And Happiness
    Karma
    Life Adventures
    Life Management
    Lost Civilizations
    Magical Living
    Meditation
    Mind Body Healing
    Mindfulness
    Money Luck
    Mystic Christianity
    Mystic Islam
    Mystic Judaism
    Natural Living
    Nature Guidance
    Nutritious Foods
    Oracle And Divination
    Original Artworks
    Our Path Our Journey
    Photon Of Wisdom
    Quick Healthy Eats
    Relationships
    Self Development
    Self Discovery
    Shaman Wisdom
    Soul Connections
    Sounds And Mantras
    Special Messages
    Spiritual Awareness
    Spiritual Lessons
    Spiritual Regression
    Tantra
    Think On This
    Tools And Techniques
    Travel Stories
    Videos
    Ways To Energize
    Ways To Relax
    Wellness
    Yoga

    Also check out...

    Vedic Wisdom Blog

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Stay in touch

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
© Copyright 2023 Maitreyi Gautam, Sandhya Bhat & ​Macro2Micro Media *** ALL RIGHTS RESERVED *** See Terms & Conditions for details on this site usage.