| Tibetan prayer flags were originally used as talismans | | | | Blue stands for the ether, or wind element. The white |
| to protect Tibetans during times of war. Originally the | | | | flag symbolizes air, and the red flag stands for fire. |
| Bon people used prayer flags for protection, and put | | | | The green and yellow flags symbolize water and |
| symbols such as the snow lion, the dragon, or a tiger | | | | earth, respectively. The five colors of Tibetan prayer |
| on each flag. Tibetan prayer flags were eventually | | | | flags represent the five directions, (North, south, east |
| adopted into Tibetan Buddhism with prayers or | | | | west, and center). The five prayer flags also represent |
| messages of hope and peace written on each flag. | | | | the five meditation Buddhas, and the five wisdoms. |
| The colors of Tibetan prayer flags are significant | | | | The five wisdoms are compassion, harmony, wisdom |
| because they symbolize each of the five elements. | | | | of sight, kindness, and perfect wisdom. |