| prayer flags were originally used as talismans to | | | | Buddhist mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum.Prayer flags |
| protect Tibetans during times of war. Originally the Bon | | | | can be placed inside of a room in your house, and |
| people used prayer flags for protection, and put | | | | traditionally they were placed outside of houses as |
| symbols such as the snow lion, the dragon, or a tiger | | | | well. Around the frame of a doorway is a lovely place |
| on each flag. Tibetan prayer flags were eventually | | | | to display your prayer flags. The most auspicious time |
| adopted into Tibetan Buddhism with prayers or | | | | to hang prayer flags is during the Chinese New Year |
| messages of hope and peace written on each flag. | | | | season. Prayer flags are also hung during times of |
| The colors of Tibetan prayer flags are significant | | | | great happiness, such as a birth, or times of great |
| because they symbolize each of the five elements. | | | | sadness. |
| Blue stands for the ether, or wind element. The white | | | | Prayer flags should always be placed in a high part of |
| flag symbolizes air, and the red flag stands for fire. | | | | your house, such as near the ceiling or between flag |
| The green and yellow flags symbolize water and | | | | poles outside. Prayer flags should be hung in the right |
| earth, respectively. The five colors of Tibetan prayer | | | | order, starting with blue from left to right. The actual |
| flags represent the five directions, (North, south, east | | | | hanging of your prayer flags should be a momentous |
| west, and center). The five prayer flags also represent | | | | occasion, and you can invite family and friends over |
| the five meditation Buddhas, and the five wisdoms. | | | | and hang the prayer flags together. Tibetan Prayer |
| The five wisdoms are compassion, harmony, wisdom | | | | flags above all symbolize peace and harmony with our |
| of sight, kindness, and perfect wisdom. | | | | friends and family, and with the greater universe. If you |
| Symbols on prayer flags include prayers for wealth, | | | | would like to learn more about prayer flags, or |
| wisdom, and health, or the eight auspicious signs. Many | | | | purchase some to hang in your special place, you can |
| prayer flags also depict mantras, such as the Tibetan | | | | do so here. |