Tibetan Art is rich and beautifully done as well as some of the most diverse cultural and religious artwork outside of the Catholic Church. There are auspicious (good) symbols, cosmological (astrological) symbols and many animals both real and mythical are part of the Tibetan panoply of symbols. There are a number of ritual weapons and a whole host of ritual hand gestures.
There are prayer wheels, prayer flags and the ever present Kalachakra which is found in virtually every Buddhist temple in the world. It is also known as the “Ten Fold” logo. This refers to the outer world, the body in its whole form and inner parts and the practice of Kalachakra. It is probably one of the most complex tantric systems in Buddhism. You will find prayer flags at temples, homes and businesses in areas that are dominated by the
Buddhist faith.
Prayer flags will have many different mantras, prayers and auspicious (good) symbols on them. The premise is that as the flags blow, the prayers are spread around the world by the wind. In fact the “Wind Horse” is printed on a large number of prayer flags. Prayer flags usually come in five colors representing the following – blue (sky), red (fire), white (clouds), green (water), and yellow (earth).
The Lung-Ta or Wind Horse is a creature from pre-Buddhist times that was able to use the power of the wind and strength of the horse to transport anyone’s prayers from this world to the heavens. Accompanying the Wind Horse on a typical prayer flag will be the Four Dignities – Dragon, Garuda, Snow Lion and Tiger. The Dragon represents gentle power, Garuda represents wisdom, Snow Lion represents fearless joy and Tiger is confidence.
Whether you are a Buddhist seeking Tibetan symbols and motifs for your own use or you just enjoy the intricate artwork of Tibetan symbols and motifs you cannot go wrong in getting a Wind Horse prayer flag.
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