What are Tibetan prayer flags?

February 9, 2026

Tibetan prayer flags are a very important sacred object of religious and ritual significance for the Tibetan and Buddhist community. These colorful prayer flags can be seen in most major monasteries, spreading the teachings of the Buddha. These colorful flags are hung in the order: blue, white, red, green, and yellow. It symbolizes the harmony of the five natural elements: sky, wind, fire, water, and earth.

Colors in Tibetan Prayer Flags

Tibetan prayer flags feature 5 colored flags, each representing the five elements of nature. These flags are hung in order from left to right: blue, white, red, green, and yellow.

Blue - Sky

White - Air

Red - Fire

Green - Water

Yellow - Earth

What is written on Tibetan prayer flags? Symbolism and Texts

The Buddhist prayer flags are filled with symbols and sacred mantra prayer texts. The most commonly featured text is the sacred “Om Mani Padme Hum”. The mantra is associated with Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig): the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The Dalai Lama has explained the meaning of this mantra as the transformation of the 3 impure qualities: body, speech, and mind into the three qualities: the enlightened body, good speech, and the enlightened mind.

Lungta (Wind Horse Flags)

The central figure on this yellow prayer flag is the wind horse. On the corners, you can see four dignities represented by the mythical animals: dragon, garuda, snow lion, and tiger.

Red Flag with Chenrezig

Chenrezig, aka Avalokiteshvara, is the lord of the world and lord of infinite compassion. Chenrezig assists beings in their path of liberation and to enlightenment.

Green Flag with Goddess Tara

Green Tara is a revered female bodhisattva believed to be born from the tears of Chenrezig. She is a goddess who listens to the prayers of devotees and provides swift action to alleviate their suffering.

Significance of Prayer Flags

The following are the significance of Buddhist prayer flags:

Spread the teachings of Buddha and blessings through the wind
Helps ward off evil spirits
The natural decay of the prayer flag signifies one of the core teachings of Buddhism: the impermanence of everything
It also showcases your effort in spreading good karma and your journey to spiritual enlightenment
Bring the blessing of Chenrezig and Tara into your spaces and life

Are Tibetan prayer flags cultural appropriation?

Not necessarily. Whether you are a follower of Buddhism or have Tibetan ancestry or not, you can use the Tibetan prayer flags. However, it is also recommended to handle this sacred thing with reverence.

How to dispose of prayer flags

Do not throw in the trash can: Prayer flags are considered a sacred object, so they should be disposed of as such. You do not want to dispose of it by throwing it on trash bin.

Burning: Burning is regarded as purification in Buddhist culture, so you can also burn the prayer flags with care. It is advised to do so for prayer flags made from terry cotton.

Let it fade naturally: Normally, you’d want the flags to fade naturally over time, hanging new prayer flags alongside them.

Respectful disposal: If you have polyester or plastic-made prayer flags, you might want to place them on a wooden box and leave the box in a protected natural locations like a forest and shrines, to let them fade naturally. This ensures that the environmental impact from burning plastics and environmental contamination from plastic is reduced.

How to hang Buddhist prayer flags?

Read extensively on how to hang Buddhist prayer flags.

Tibetan Prayer Flags FAQs

Can you hang prayer flags inside houses?

Yes, you can. It is recommended in sacred spaces.