Prayer Flags Fluttering in the Wind: The Sacred Tradition of Tibetan Lungta

Along the roads of Tibet, in addition to white stupas, one often encounters colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind.

Prayer flags are an ancient custom passed down from the era of the Zhangzhung Kingdom, a pre-Buddhist civilization in Tibet.

Many of the traditions and lifestyles of modern Tibetan people are rooted in unique forms of spiritual devotion. These include circumambulating sacred mountains, worshipping holy lakes, scattering wind-horse flags, hanging five-colored prayer flags, carving scriptures on stones, and building mani stone mounds—all expressions of prayer and blessing.

On the mystical Tibetan Plateau, whether atop sacred mountains and lakes, by river bridges, at mountain passes and caves, within monasteries and palaces, or around villages, ancient trees, cliffs, and stone piles—any place believed to possess spiritual energy—you will find a unique form of prayer flag known as Lungta, or "Wind Horse Flags."

These flags are printed on five-colored cloth—red, yellow, green, blue, and white—and often feature the image of a swift horse bearing the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), surrounded by mantras, the Avalokiteshvara's Six-Syllable Mantra, Buddhist scriptures, and various sacred symbols and deities.

Prayer flags are regarded as sacred items, believed to carry purifying and protective powers. Tibetans trust that the energy from these flags can cleanse the body and mind, dissolve negative karma, avert misfortunes, and bring peace to families and the world at large.

In Tibetan Buddhism, the colors and shapes of prayer flags correspond to the five elements and five cardinal directions:

• Blue represents the sky

• White symbolizes clouds

• Red stands for fire

• Green denotes water

• Yellow signifies earth

Together, these colors are linked to the elements and the five directions: east, south, west, north, and center.

The widespread use of prayer flags in religious and cultural practices reflects a deep longing for well-being and happiness, as well as a heartfelt commitment to the wisdom of the Dharma and the continuity of faith. Tibetan prayer flags are not only a spiritual symbol but also a treasured cultural heritage—an irreplaceable gem within the world's cultural legacy.

If you’d like to hang prayer flags for blessings, please visit our website (www.gletery.com )—we offer this service.