When traveling through Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet or northern India, you will see the colorful prayer flags everywhere. Whether on trees, over temples or on mountain peaks, the colorful flags flutter in the wind everywhere.

The prayer flags have their origins in Tibetan Buddhism. The Tibetan term"rlung rta"means"wind horse"and reflects the symbolism of the flags. Because the mantras (prayers) printed on the flags are said to be carried up into the sky by the power of the wind.

Wind is considered an expression of the spirit and mental energy. So when the wind moves the prayer flags, it carries their prayers to the gods and to all living beings.

The colors of the prayer flags are blue, white, red, green and yellow. Each of the colors represents an element:

Blue:sky
White:air
Red:fire
Green:water
Yellow:earth

The five also stands for the center and the four cardinal points in Tibetan Buddhism. The wind horse (represents happiness, prosperity and our own life energy) can also be found on the flags. It is often framed on the prayer flags by four other animal symbols:Garuda (bird of the gods), dragon, tiger and snow lion. These four animals symbolize wisdom, strength, joy and confidence.

The prayer flags are also intended to remind people of the transience of life. In the mountainous regions of the Himalayas they remain hanging until they are completely weathered. Therefore, the flags are intentionally not sewn around the edges. This ensures that the edges will fray over time and the flags will sort of vanish in the wind.

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