prayer flag
Wind-blown sacred cloth
A prayer flag is a colorful rectangular cloth strung outdoors in Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
The flags bear printed mantras and symbols believed to spread blessings and goodwill as wind passes over them.
They commonly appear in strings across mountain passes, temples, and homes throughout the Himalayas: Prayer flags fluttered in the thin air above the monastery.
Tibet's administrative center
- TibetHimalayan plateau region
- BuddhismEnlightenment-seeking Eastern religion
- Dalai LamaTibetan Buddhism's supreme leader
- monasteryReligious seclusion dwelling
thangka · dharma · mantra · Dharamsala · Himalaya · stupa · kata
Repeated focus phrase
- sacred textHoly religious writing
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
merit · goodwill · protection · auspiciousness · enlightenment · invocation · dedication · transmission
Having multiple hues
- vibrantFull of life, intensity
- rainbowRefracted light arc
- huesGradations of color
- dyesPigments for staining materials
fabric · textile · fluttering · pennants · bunting · garland · streamers · faded
Rapid light movement
- breezeLight, gentle air movement
- billowSwell outward with air
- flapOne-sided attached cover
- gustBrief wind surge
waft · drift · airflow · ripple · unfurl · streaming · tattered · frayed
Passing through sequentially
- hangingExecution by noose
- replacementWhat takes another's place
- offeringSomething presented or given
- pilgrimageReligious journey to shrine
ceremony · devotion · consecration · tradition · renewal · mountain pass · bridge · rooftop
Lhasa
Tibet's administrative center
- TibetHimalayan plateau region
- BuddhismEnlightenment-seeking Eastern religion
- Dalai LamaTibetan Buddhism's supreme leader
monastery · thangka · dharma · mantra · Dharamsala · Himalaya · stupa · kata
mantra
Repeated focus phrase
- sacred textHoly religious writing
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
purification · merit · goodwill · protection · auspiciousness · enlightenment · invocation · dedication · transmission · dispersion
multicolored
Having multiple hues
dyes · fabric · textile · fluttering · pennants · bunting · garland · streamers · faded · weathered
flutter
Rapid light movement
gust · waft · drift · airflow · ripple · unfurl · streaming · tattered · frayed · weathering
stringing
Passing through sequentially
- hangingExecution by noose
- replacementWhat takes another's place
- offeringSomething presented or given
pilgrimage · ceremony · devotion · consecration · tradition · renewal · mountain pass · bridge · rooftop · temple
- flagsflags, colors, bunting, banner, standard
- hanging thingspendant light, wind chime, dreamcatcher, hanging plant, hanging basket
- Buddhist artBuddha statues, Buddha images, Buddha head, seated Buddha, standing Buddha
- Buddhist objectsBuddha, Buddha statues, Buddha images, incense burners, incense burner
- Buddhist templethangka, offering bowl, sacred text, incense burner, assembly hall
- Eastern SpiritualityBuddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto
prayer flagsilent meditation
Soundless reflective practice
spoken prayer · sermon · confession · prostration · pilgrimage
prayer flagreliquary
Container for sacred remains
Torah scroll · golden Buddha · illuminated manuscript · eternal flame · shrine
flag, prayer, pray, prayers, prayed, praying, flagpole, prayerful, flagship