Strings of colourful flags fluttering on passes, bridges, stupas and rooftops are one of the most iconic sights of the Himalaya. But they are not decorations: each one carries prayers.
Quick answer: prayer flags are printed with Buddhist prayers and mantras. As the wind blows, the prayers are believed to spread goodwill and compassion to all beings. The five colours, usually in the order blue, white, red, green and yellow, represent the elements of sky, air, fire, water and earth.
The five colours
- Blue: sky and space
- White: air and wind
- Red: fire
- Green: water
- Yellow: earth
The wind horse
Many flags show a horse carrying a jewel, the lungta or "wind horse", a symbol of good fortune that carries prayers on the wind.
How they are hung
- Horizontal strings (lungta) on passes, bridges and roofs.
- Vertical flags (darchor) on poles.
- Flags are often hung on auspicious days and replaced at Losar, the new year.
- Old, faded flags are left to fade naturally, as the prayers become part of the universe.
Etiquette
- Don't step over or use prayer flags as ordinary decoration on the ground.
- Walk clockwise around stupas and mani walls.
- You can buy flags in Boudhanath and Thamel and hang them on a trek with your guide.
See our religion in Nepal and Sherpa culture guides.