| Tibetan prayer flags wereoriginally used as talismans | | | | Manyprayer flags also depict mantras, such as the |
| to protect Tibetans during times of war. | | | | Tibetan Buddhist mantra, Om |
| Originally the Bon people used prayer flags for | | | | Mani Padme Hum. |
| protection, and put symbols suchas the snow lion, the | | | | Prayer flags can be placedinside of a room in your |
| dragon, or a tiger on each flag. Tibetan prayerflags | | | | house, and traditionally they were placed outside |
| were eventually adopted into Tibetan Buddhism with | | | | ofhouses as well. Around the frame of a doorway is a |
| prayers or messages ofhope and peace written on | | | | lovely place to displayyour prayer flags. The most |
| each flag. | | | | auspicious time to hang prayer flags is duringthe |
| The colors of Tibetan prayerflags are significant | | | | Chinese New Year season. Prayer flags are also hung |
| because they symbolize each of the five elements. | | | | during times ofgreat happiness, such as a birth, or |
| Blue stands for the ether, or wind element. The white | | | | times of great sadness. |
| flag symbolizes air,and the red flag stands for fire. The | | | | Prayer flags should always beplaced in a high part of |
| green and yellow flags symbolizewater and earth, | | | | your house, such as near the ceiling or between |
| respectively. The five colors of Tibetan prayer | | | | flagpoles outside. Prayer flags should be hung in the |
| flagsrepresent the five directions, (North, south, east | | | | right order, startingwith blue from left to right. The |
| west, and center). Thefive prayer flags also represent | | | | actual hanging of your prayer flagsshould be a |
| the five meditation Buddhas, and the fivewisdoms. The | | | | momentous occasion, and you can invite family and |
| five wisdoms are compassion, harmony, wisdom of | | | | friends over andhang the prayer flags together. |
| sight,kindness, and perfect wisdom. | | | | Tibetan Prayer flags above all symbolizepeace and |
| Symbols on prayer flags includeprayers for wealth, | | | | harmony with our friends and family, and with the |
| wisdom, and health, or the eight auspicious signs. | | | | greateruniverse. |