Made in Nepal, these beautiful prayer flags are colourful panels of light cloth that is specially made to fray. Each time a thread flies off into the wind, it is thought to send a prayer into the universe.
The primary colours symbolize:
Êblue = sky/space
Êwhite = air/wind
Êred = fire
Êgreen = water
Êyellow = earth
Commonly hung on a diagonal line from high to low between two objects in a location outdoors. They promote peace, compassion, strength and wisdom and are believed to spread good will and compassion to all as they blow in the wind.
Prayer flags traditionally feature a lung ta (powerful horse) bearing three flaming jewells which symbolize the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. This is surrounded by versions of mantras and images or names of four powerful animals. Prayer flags may also have images such as Buddha or the Om Mani Padme Hum Mantra.
As the images fade the prayers are thought to become a permanent part of the universe and new flags are mounted alongside the old which symbolizes a welcoming of life's changes. The best time to put up new prayer flags is in the morning of a sunny, windy day.
