Prayer Flags
 Expressive design and symbolic
meaning
The design of a prayer flag consists of two parts: the picture and the
scripture. A typical prayer flag has a horse bearing three flaming jewels on its
back at its center. The three jewels symbolize the Buddha, Buddhist teachings
and the Buddhist community. At each corner of the flag there is a god of
protection, believed to be capable of eliminating bad luck. These gods are
represented by the symbols of the garuda (a mythical eagle), the penetrating dragon,
the watchful tiger
and the triumphant lion. Scattered among the images are a few lines of
scripture, serving as a foil to the picture and forming a pleasant contrast. The
combination of the symbols represents the five elements in the universe,
signifying their circulation and the eternity of life. Besides these images,
Buddha and Buddhist scriptures are also employed.
Designs on the prayer flags in Lhasa are more rigorous and magnificent, as
well as more orthodox in the religious and artistic sense, while those in
eastern Tibet are more flexible in form and content.
The scripture on the flags often focuses on Indian Bhadrani incantations and
the six-word mystic teaching of the truth (Om-ma-ni, pad-me-Hum). In some cases,
the first word "Om" is engraved on the belly of the horse.
The combination of the pictures and the scripture is usually well spaced,
with a conspicuous theme. The picture, the colors, and the scripture tend to
have deep connotations and symbolic meaning. According to the Bon religious
doctrine, the five animals on the prayer flags represents five parts of the
human body: the central horse is the symbol of the human soul as well as good
luck; the garuda is the animal of the life force; the tiger symbolizes the human
body; the dragon indicates prosperity while the lion refers to destiny.
Prayer flags have many different purposes. Hanging them on birthdays and
festive days is believed to be capable of bringing auspicious and peaceful
blessings to heaven, the earth, human beings and live stock; Herdsmen fasten
prayer flags in the hope of being blessed when moving from one place to another;
Pilgrims cross the desert with prayer flags on their shoulders hoping for a safe
and unproblematic trip; People living by a lake or river place prayer flags
along the water's edge to show their reverence for the god of water while those
living among mountains and forests suspend prayer flags to fulfill their
obligations to the god of mountains.
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