The 5 colours of Tibetan prayer flags

When you travel around Tibetan Buddhist countries you are bound to see layers of prayer flags strung around sacred sites and auspicious places. The prayer flags are strung so that they capture the breeze and their blessings and prayers of positivity, peace, compassion, gratitude and wisdom can be blown and shared with the universe for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Tibetans consider prayer flags to be holy. The flags contain sacred texts and symbols and should always be treated respectfully. They should NEVER touch the ground or be put in the trash. Sometimes you will see that the prayer flags look very tatty and old, as if they need to be replaced, however they are meant to slowly age and disintegrate. This acts as a reminder to us of the impermanence, the temporary nature of all phenomenon. If you wish, you can hang new prayer flags together with old ones. The contrast between old and new is a reminder of the continuing cycle of birth and death. When it is time to replace old prayer flags they must be burnt so that the smoke can carry their blessings to the sky.

A Tibetan Buddhist altar high in the Himalaya

Tibetan prayer flags evolved from ancient Bon shamanistic traditions (pre Buddhist), when shamans used coloured cloths for healing and to appease nature spirits. They used the colours of the five elements: blue for sky or space; white for air or clouds; red for fire; green for water and yellow for earth. These coloured cloths were also strung over mountain passes and rivers to benefit all who would pass underneath.

Buddhism arrived in Tibet during the 7th century AD, and slowly began to integrate with local Bon practices and beliefs including the use of the cloths as flags. These early flags contained both Buddhist prayers and pictures of the fierce Bon gods who they believed protected Buddha.. Over the next 200 years Buddhist monks began to print mantras and symbols on the flags as blessings to be sent out to the world with each breeze. Thus they became known Prayer Flags.

You will also see that Tibetan prayer flags are always the same 5 colours. White, Red, Blue, Green & Yellow. These colours are not just by chance, they hold much meaning and significance for Tibetan Buddhists. These 5 primary colours represent the 5 Buddha families, the 5 wisdom Dakinis and the 5 Great Wisdoms that transform our mental afflictions into wisdoms. There is an entire psychophysiological approach to mental health and wellbeing and attaining the state of yogic bliss through the practices and meditations of the 5 Tibetan colours and their associated Buddhas, Dakinis, and Wisdoms. Through this personal work we can transform our negative states into positive ones by harnessing the energy behind our afflictions and suffering and using it in a positive way.

Below is a snapshot of the different colours, families, Dakinis, and their meanings & associations

KARMA – SA - NORTH

Amoghasiddhi Buddha

GREEN

AIR

DOUBLE VAJRA/SWORD -VICTORY

JEALOUSY, ENVY, AMBITION

ALL ACCOMPLISHING WISDOM

the sound of rhythmic drums and chanting

GARUDA – mystic bird of power & flight

PROTECTION, COMPASSION

TIME - MIDNIGHT

LANDSCAPE- COMPLICATED WINDY PLACE

SEASON- SUMMER

SHAPE - HALF CIRCLE

BODY – THIN WHISPY, ALWAYS MOVING

SENSE – TOUCH

BUDDHA- BAM- CENTRE

Vairochana Buddha & Sattva Dakini

WHITE

SPACE

8 SPOKED WHEEL – 8FOLD PATH

IGNORANCE, DELUSION, DEPRESSION, SPACING OUT

WISDOM OF DHARMADATU- awareness of true nature of reality

The sound of a soft resonant gong

LION – majesty & fearlessness

CLARITY & OPENNESS

TIME – NONE/EVERYTHING

LANDSCAPE – WHITE SKY IN WINTER, BIG SKY

SEASON- WINTER

SHAPE – BINDU DOT

BODY – PLUMP, RELAXED, ROUND BODY

SENSE – MIND

VAJRA -HA- EAST

Akshobhya Buddha & Vajra Dakini

BLUE

WATER

VAJRA -INDESTRUCATABLE

ANGER, HATE

MIRROR LIKE WISDOM – clear reflection of reality

Vibrating sound of HUM

ELEPHANT – calm, strong, enduring

CLARITY, TRUTH

TIME – DAWN

SEASON- LATE AUUTUMN

LANDSCAPE – RUGGED MOUNTAINS, ICY RIVER

SHAPE-CIRCLE

BODY- THIN AND HARD, CLEAN CUT, SHARP FEATURES

SENSE PERCEPTION – SIGHT

RATNA- RI- SOUTH

Ratnasambhava Buddha & Ratna Dakini

YELLOW

EARTH

WISH FULFILLING JEWEL

PRIDE, INADEQUACY

WISDOM OF EQUALITY

The sound of soft bell-like chimes

HORSE- generosity

GENEROSITY, STABILITY

TIME -HIGH NOON

SEASON- EARLY AUTUMN

LANDSCAPE – JUNGLE AND FERTILE VALLEY

SHAPE- SQUARE

BODY TYPE – LARGE GENEROUS

SENSE – SMELL & TASTE

PADMA- NI - WEST

Amitabha Buddha & Padma Dakini

RED

FIRE

LOTUS – PURITY, GROWTH

DESIRE & ATTACHMENT, CRAVING, LUST

WISDOM OF DISCERNMENT

the sound of clarity - a soft and gentle flute

PEACOCK -transforms poison on to beauty

LOVE & DEVOTION

TIME – SUNSET

SEASON- SPRING

LANDSCAPE - SOFT ROLLING HILLS

SHAPE – UWARD POINTING TRIANGLE

BODY TYPE – WELL TONED. PREPORTIONED, SEDUCTIVE

SENSE – HEARING