Prayer Banners in Xizang: Beliefs and Blessings Flying in the Wind

Under the blue sky and white clouds of the snow covered plateau, the colorful prayer flags of Xizang dance with the wind, just like a flying rainbow, embellishing the world with mystery and holiness. As a vivid symbol of Tibetan culture and spiritual beliefs, prayer flags carry thousands of years of prayers and wisdom, and every movement tells the profound connection between humans, nature, and gods.

1、 The sacred imprint on the prayer flag: the condensation of spells and blessings

The prayer flags in Xizang are called “Longda” in Tibetan, which means “windy horse”. Their origin is closely related to Tibetan Buddhism. Above the prayer flags, the most common words are the “Six Character Mantra” – “Om ma na bei mei ho”. These six syllables are regarded as the essence of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s compassion and wisdom, embodying people’s yearning for a better life and their prayers for the well-being of all sentient beings. The Tibetan people firmly believe that the howling wind will carry the spells and blessings on the prayer flags in all directions, dispelling the gloom and bringing peace and auspiciousness wherever it goes. In addition to the six character mantra, prayer flags may also be inscribed with scriptures, painted with Buddha statues, and depicted with auspicious patterns, each stroke carrying a devout heart.

2、 The diverse forms of prayer flags: devoutly expressed in different scenes

The types of prayer flags are diverse and play unique roles in different scenes:

Long striped prayer flags: Stretching for tens or even hundreds of meters, they are often hung on mountain passes and river valleys. When the vehicle passes through the mountain pass in Xizang, it can be seen that they are hunting in the strong wind and sending their blessings to the distance, as if they are building a bridge between heaven and earth for praying.

Arranging prayer flags: Small in size, hanging single-sided on a flagpole, often densely arranged on mountain slopes and around temples, forming a spectacular “sea of prayer flags”, symbolizing collective prayer and piety.

Flagpole prayer flags: Tall prayer flags stand tall in temple courtyards and public squares, such as the iconic prayer flag on Barkhor Street in Lhasa, symbolizing the sacred connection between heaven and earth, bringing the blessings of Buddhism into the human world.

Tree prayer flags: In the courtyard of collectors, prayer flags are hung on tall trees or “prayer trees” built on rooftops. During the Tibetan New Year, wearing a brand new prayer flag symbolizes bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, praying for a safe and smooth new year.

Umbrella shaped prayer flag: A large umbrella shaped canopy made from prayer flags, which combines decoration and sacredness. It often appears in important Buddhist festivals and ceremonies, symbolizing compassion and protection for sentient beings.

Lungta: A small paper flag with wind and horse patterns and spells painted on it. People will scatter it in holy places, allowing the wind to carry prayers directly to the gods, conveying reverence for nature and the gods.

3、 The mystery of the five colored prayer flags: philosophical interpretation of natural elements

The prayer flags in Xizang are arranged and combined in five colors: blue, white, red, green and yellow. Each color corresponds to a natural element and contains the unique Tibetan cosmology:

Blue: corresponding to the sky, symbolizing vastness and purity, symbolizing the tranquility and freedom of the soul;

White: represents air, symbolizes the breath of life, clarity of thinking, and balance of body and mind;

Red: symbolizes fire, containing the power of energy, passion, and change;

Green: corresponding to water, symbolizing growth, healing, and harmonious coexistence of all things;

Yellow: represents the land, symbolizing stability, abundance, and the foundation of life.

The orderly arrangement of these five colors showcases the interdependent and cyclical relationship of natural elements, and also reminds people of their responsibility to safeguard ecological balance and maintain world harmony.

4、 Sutra Banners and Tibetan Life: The Ritual Sense of Faith Incorporating into Daily Life

The prayer flags have long been deeply integrated into the lives of the Tibetan people and have become an indispensable spiritual sustenance. Hanging prayer flags is not only an expression of personal faith, but also a collective ritual. At important moments such as Tibetan New Year, weddings, and housewarming, people solemnly hang new prayer flags and pray for happiness and health; When passing through holy sites or encountering difficulties, they also seek divine protection and guidance by hanging or scattering prayer flags.

The use of prayer flags further demonstrates the environmental wisdom of the Tibetan people. They are mostly made of natural materials such as cotton and paper. When time fades or damages them, people will respectfully return them to nature, allowing the prayer flags to complete the life cycle from production, hanging to returning to the earth, interpreting reverence and gratitude for nature.

From the towering snowy mountain pass to the peaceful Tibetan courtyard, Xizang’s prayer flags are always flying in the wind, conveying compassion, peace and hope across time and space. It is not only a vivid symbol of Tibetan culture, but also a link between humans and nature, material and spiritual. When we read the words and colors on the prayer flags, feel the faith and emotions behind them, we can also draw strength from them, let this beautiful blessing from the snowy plateau nourish our hearts.