HISTORY OF TIBET PRAYER FLAGS

There are many types of Tibetan flags, for example the dar-ding, a long string of flags flown horizontally between trees or buildings, and the dar-chen, a narrow flag which is flown from a pole. Tibetan prayer flags can be of any of these 5 colors, blue, white, red, green, and yellow, which symbolize the sky, clouds, fire, water, and earth respectively. If we relate these colors to the physical elements then the blue symbolizes water, green symbolizes wood, red fire, and white iron. There is also a tradition of flying flags which represent the elements of your own body.

Flags are flown on auspicious days such as Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and when the stars are in auspicious arrangements according to Tibetan almanac. Flags are flown by families from all economic backgrounds, and they are flown on such important occasions as the third day of the Tibetan new year, marriages, and official functions. Flags are also hoisted in the event of interferences, or illness, in order to avert further misfortunes.

In some part of Tibet, during the wedding ceremony, the guests gather on the roof of the groom's house and perform a ritual in which the bride touches the prayer flags. These flags are then hoisted on the building housing the protectors near the site for making incense offerings, and from that moment the bride becomes a member of her new family. After the first year of marriage the bride returns to her home and again performs the same ceremony and in so doing she separates herself from her original family.

Flags are used as protection against harm when traveling. Before passengers enter a boat to cross a river, they perform a ceremony in which flags are attached to the horse shaped figurehead at the bow of the boat. Prayers are said and incense and grain are offered to the gods. In this way they insure safe passage across the river.

Originally, flag ceremonies were intended to provide benefit in this life, but as they gradually became more imbued with religious meaning, they came to be associated with benefit in future lives and the achievement of spiritual as opposed to material success. Although the actual ceremonies and rituals have changed very little, the significance or content of the rituals has gradually evolved a spiritual element through a mixture of Bon and Buddhist symbolism.