About the Prayer Flag on Nepal’s Mountains 

Prayer flags are attractive and harmonious, at look. They are made of bright rectangles of cloth. They feature interesting printings of some symbols and mantras that are believed to deliver prosperity and signify harmony to everyone around them. 

If anyone has visited Nepal’s trekking spots including Everest and Annapurna Base Camp, they must have come across many bright rectangles and colorful flags on their way. So, have you ever wondered what it refers to? Let’s find out. 

What is a Prayer Flag?

A Prayer flag or a Tibetan prayer flag is a colorful rectangular fabric, frequently seen hanging along trails and mountains that are used to promote wisdom and peace.

This flag may have originated within the religious movement of Bon or Yungdrung Bon. Shamanic Bonpo in Tibet used plain flags with primary colors. 

There are two types of prayer flags in horizontal (Lung ta) and vertical (Darchog) form. In Tibet, Lung ta is called Whylie: rlung-rta which means “Wind Horse,” and Darchog, also known as Wylie: dar-Icog, denotes “flagstaff.”

Prayer flags traditionally are available in sets of five. In the flag, five colors signify the Five Pure Lights and the five elements. 

Different aspects are connected with different colors for particular traditions, sadhana, and motives. Blue denotes the sky and space, white represents the wind and the air, red symbolizes fire, yellow signifies earth, and green indicates water.

Why Are Prayer Flags Kept In Nepal’s Mountains? 

Prayer Flags strung along Mountain slopes and summits look stunning. Now, they can be commonly seen across the Himalayas to promote strength and compassion. 

Since people of the Himalayas believe when the wind blows through the flags, it scatters only blessings. They also assume the flag’s prints of eight auspicious symbols eventually fade and the prayer blends into the universe. Thus, they hang prayer flags in Nepal’s mountains. 

One must always treat this flag with respect as they have symbols and sacred texts. They should be kept above the ground and must be burned when you wish to destroy them; therefore, the smoke will carry the prayers to heaven.