Prayer Flags

Photo: Prayer Flags at the Swayambunath Stupa, Nepal.

For many centuries and throughout the Himalayan regions, Tibetans have raised prayer flags or Lungta. They are a regular sight on mountain passes, temples, stupas and other important sacred places of pilgrimage. Each flag is woodblock printed with mantras, auspicious symbols, aspiration prayers and images of deities and Buddhas. The passage of air across the flags both activates the prayers and carries their vibration into the world, thereby promoting peace, compassion, fearlessness, wisdom and prosperity. It is believed that as the images on the flags fade with the action of sun, wind and rain, the prayers are absorbed into the universe.

Hanging prayer flags is a wonderful means for accumulating merit and greatly helps to dispel obstacles. The power and benefits of raising prayer flags should not be underestimated!

For maximum benefit, prayer flags should be hung facing in the West; next best is North and then South. If possible, flags should not be hung facing the East.

Prayer flags are traditionally printed on material dyed in the five colours that represent the Five Buddha families or the five elements ( blue: space; white: water; red: fire; green: air or wind; yellow: earth). They should be arranged in this order along the string.

All of our prayer flags are hand dyed and printed using traditionally carved woodblocks. Our flags have been checked thoroughly to make sure that the mantras are printed correctly and that the Tibetan script is accurate.

Once flags have faded or become weathered with age, they can be taken down and burnt. Hanging new flags is a good practice to do at least once a year.

All flags are printed on strong and durable polyester fabric unless specified otherwise. They are also pre-strung on strong braided nylon cord for extra strength and longevity.

All of our flag sets can be hung immediately in a place of your choice.

Below you will find listed the inauspicious days (also known as Baden) for hanging prayer flags in the Earth Pig Year 2146 (2019).

February (2019): 12, 23, 26
March: 13, 24, 27
April: 9, 20
May: 2, 8, 19
June: 1, 4, 6, 17
July: 11, 24
August: 7, 19
September: 3, 15, 29
October: 11, 23
November: 6, 19
December: 3, 15, 30
January (2020): 11, 22, 25
February: 7, 18

N.B This only applies to the hanging of prayer flags, they should not be taken down on these dates.