**Making and hanging prayer flags

The process of making prayer flags is similar to that of making Tibetan scripture and wooden Buddhist carvings. First, painters and calligraphers are invited to paint the images and write the scripture on a piece of paper or a board, and then folk-carving craftsmen are asked to carve the pictures and scripture in detail onto a motherboard, which is then used to print the design on a piece of colorful cloth or paper. Harmonious spacing is important to the correct design of the wind-horse carving, as is the color contrast, the subtle combination of pictures and scriptures and the vividness of the overall flavor and tone.

The hanging of prayer flags is more flexible and is not confined to one pattern. Generally speaking, there are five hanging patterns: the first and the most common pattern is to arrange the flags in the shape of the Chinese character "Ò»" (meaning "one"); The second is to attach a flag to a mast measuring ten-odd meters in height. Next comes the particularly beautiful "tower pattern" in which the flags are hung around a pillar in the shape of an umbrella, forming a hollow tower. The "encircling pattern" is most often seen around Buddhist pagodas , or pagoda groups. Another pattern is the so-called "embattling pattern", well known for its large scale and intense patterns. Prayer flags arranged in this pattern are reputed to be the most spectacular land art in the world.

Expressive design and symbolic meaning

The design of a prayer flag consists of two parts: the picture and the scripture. A typical prayer flag has a horse bearing three flaming jewels on its back at its center. The three jewels symbolize the Buddha, Buddhist teachings and the Buddhist community. At each corner of the flag there is a god of protection, believed to be capable of eliminating bad luck. These gods are represented by the symbols of the garuda (a mythical eagle), the penetrating dragon, the watchful tiger and the triumphant lion. Scattered among the images are a few lines of scripture, serving as a foil to the picture and forming a pleasant contrast. The combination of the symbols represents the five elements in the universe, signifying their circulation and the eternity of life. Besides these images, Buddha and Buddhist scriptures are also employed.

Designs on the prayer flags in Lhasa are more rigorous and magnificent, as well as more orthodox in the religious and artistic sense, while those in eastern Tibet are more flexible in form and content.

The scripture on the flags often focuses on Indian Bhadrani incantations and the six-word mystic teaching of the truth (Om-ma-ni, pad-me-Hum). In some cases, the first word "Om" is engraved on the belly of the horse.

The combination of the pictures and the scripture is usually well spaced, with a conspicuous theme. The picture, the colors, and the scripture tend to have deep connotations and symbolic meaning. According to the Bon religious doctrine, the five animals on the prayer flags represents five parts of the human body: the central horse is the symbol of the human soul as well as good luck; the garuda is the animal of the life force; the tiger symbolizes the human body; the dragon indicates prosperity while the lion refers to destiny.

Prayer flags have many different purposes. Hanging them on birthdays and festive days is believed to be capable of bringing auspicious and peaceful blessings to heaven, the earth, human beings and live stock; Herdsmen fasten prayer flags in the hope of being blessed when moving from one place to another; Pilgrims cross the desert with prayer flags on their shoulders hoping for a safe and unproblematic trip; People living by a lake or river place prayer flags along the water's edge to show their reverence for the god of water while those living among mountains and forests suspend prayer flags to fulfill their obligations to the god of mountains. 

When a Living Buddha passes away, it is a rare and grand occasion. People express their condolences and respect for the Buddha by hanging prayer flags on the roof of every home.

As an important folk cultural art form with a religious theme, prayer flags have gained their unique characteristics in the course of their development. Like many other folk arts in Tibet, such as fresco painting, thangka (religious painting on scrolls) and Tibetan sculpture, prayer flags are another exotic flower in the folk art of the Tibetan holy land.  

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