The origins of Tara worship can be traced back to the pre-Vedic (2000 BCE) goddess traditions of ancient India. According to legend, Tara emerged from a tear of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Avalokiteshvara vowed to free all sentient beings from suffering, but upon seeing the vastness of their pain, he shed tears from which Tara was born. Tara's role in Hinduism and Buddhism is to embody the active aspects of compassion, providing swift assistance and protection from the perils of our existence. 

According to ancient Indian texts, Tara manifests in 21 different forms, each representing a unique aspect of her compassionate activity. Each form of the 21 manifestations of Tara serves a specific function, has a specific color, seat, posture, number of faces, arms, implements and hand gestures. The forms, colors, ritual objects and even names or functions can vary based on the distinct lineages and practices. The most common thangka paintings of the 21 Taras have Green Tara in the center, surrounded by her other manifestations. Green represents action and achievement and is considered the primary color of Tara.

Currently we have paintings of the 21 Taras in out website's Thangka Collection, but there are many available from Tibetan art websites on the internet (Search "21 Tara Thangkas"). I found the High Quality Giclee Canvas shown above available on Etsy and didn't think the shop will mind that I used their image in exchange for some free marketing. This thangka shows Amitabha (The Buddha of Infinite Light), at the top, Avalokiteshvara (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) at top left, and Guru Rinpoche at top right. 20 manifestations of Tara surround her primary, Green Tara, manifestation is seated in the center.

 The names of the 21 Manifestations of Tara describe their functions and attributes.

1.   Tara NYURMA PAMO - Swift Heroine Who Increases Bodhicitta and Overpowers Obstacles

2.   Tara LOTER YANG CHENMA (VAJRA SARASVATI) - 
Melodious One, the Treasure of Intelligence

3.   Tara SERMO SÖNAM TOBKYÉ - Golden One Who Increases the Power of Merit

4.   Tara TSUGTOR NAMGYALMA (USHNISHAVIYAYA) - Victorious One Accomplishing Immortality

5.   Tara RIGJÉ LHAMO (KURUKULLÉ) - Magnetizing Goddess of Vedic Knowledge

6.   Tara JIGJÉ CHENMO - Great Terrifying Lady Who Completely Destroys Negativity

7.   Tara ZHENGYI MITUBMA - Unconquerable Fierce Lady Who Dispels Wars and Natural Disasters

8.   Tara ZHEN MIGYALWA’I PAMO - I
nvincible Heroine Who Destroys Criticism and Harm

9.   Tara SENGDENG NAG - Noble Lady Tara of the Teak Forest Who Protects from All Fears

10.   Tara JIGTEN SUMLÉ GYALMA - Victorious Over the Universe

11.   Tara NORTERMA - Bestowing Wealth and Removing Poverty

12.   Tara TASHI DÖNJÉ MA - Accomplishing Auspiciousness, Prosperity, and Harmony to the Land

13.   Tara YULLAY GYALJÉ - Victorious Over War and Other Obstacles With and Without Form

14.   Tara TRONYER CHENMA - Destroyer of Harm-Doers, Spirits, and Obstructing Forces

15.   Tara RABZHIMA - Perfectly Calm One, Pacifying Evil Deeds and Obscurations

16.   Tara RIG NGAG TOBZHOM - Destroyer of the Power of Evil Spells Cast by Enemies and Sorcerers

17.   Tara PAGMÉ NÖNMA - Boundless Subduer Who Binds Enemies, Robbers, Thieves, and Hunters

18.   Tara MAJA CHENMO - Great Peacock, Protecting from and Pacifying All Kinds of Poison

19.   Tara DUGKARMO - Invincible Queen of the White Umbrella Who Dispels Conflicts and Bad Dreams

20.   Tara RITRÖ LOMA GYÖNMA - Noble Lady of the Mountain Who Removes Contagious Diseases

21.   Tara LHAMO ÖZER CHENMA - Goddess of Light, Replenisher of Longevity and Life Force

We print the Prayer to the 21 Taras on many prayer flag styles and sizes.

Single Print Traditional Prayer Flags

Our single print prayer flags are screen-printed on fine quality 100% cotton fabric

in our studio in Richmond, CA

Praise to the 21 Taras in Tibetan Script - with 2 in. Green Cloth Border

We stopped making "bordered" prints two years ago as they were too labor intensive for California manufacturing. We still have 6 of these in stock and are selling them at a discount price until they are gone. These prints, on fine quality cotton fabric, can be hung with mounting putty or thumb tacks; the top borders are open at the ends to accommodate a rod for hanging.

Size: 21 in. x 27 in. - including the 2 in. double-folded border.

Closeout sale price: $20 (regular price $28)

2 Print Tara (Tibetan Style) …......3'-6" Ht $22

4 Print Tara (Tibetan Style)…...... 6'-0" Ht $32

6 Print Tara (Tibetan Style) ……...9'-0" Ht $38

5 Print Tara (Bhutanese Style)… 7'-0" Ht $34

7 Print Tara (Bhutanese Style)…10'-0” Ht $38

The Green-colored prayer flags in our "Mixed Sets" of Woodblock Printed, Screen Printed and Mini-Flags are all Tara Flags with Green Tara in the Center surrounded by the Prayer to the 21 Taras in Tibetan.

Green Tara Photos

5"x7" - $6

8"x10" - $15

This 19"x 20 " woodblock print on rice paper has the "Tsa La Nam Sum" sutra for Health and Longevity written in Tibetan surrounding Amitayus (top), Buddha of Limitless Life, Vijaya (bottom left) - Goddess of Victorious Protection, and White Tara (bottom right), deity of Compassionate Healing Together they are known as the 3 Deities of Health and Longevity (Sa La Nam Sum). If you'd like a chance to win this woodblock print in this month's drawing, email your name and address to: prayerflags2@gmail.com.

Thank you for submitting your entries.

Congratulations to the winner of last month's drawing for the

Shakyamuni woodblock print:

Rachael Johnson of Taos, NM

Sixth Lunar Month (August 5 - September 2)

The sixth month is when the Nagas harvest their food. If you make offerings to them on a teb (good) offering day, then the nagas will bestow children, wealth, and livestock. If you make offerings to them on a dok (bad) day, your offerings will become rotten... and it's not wise to anger the nagas.

 During the sixth lunar month, there are five especially good days to make offerings: August 12 (Medicine Buddha day), August 19 (Buddha day-full moon), August 28 (dakini day), September 1 (Dharmapala day), and September 2 (new moon). The days to especially avoid are August 17 and August 20.

Vertical Prayer Flags & Standing Buddha

Nying Je Ling - Dallas, Texas

5 Print Vertical Prayer Flags

Vashon Island, Washington

If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for my newsletter, please write. I will try to answer your emails. I appreciate getting photos and videos of prayer flags on display, especially the flags you got from us.

Email me at: prayerflags1@gmail.com

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter.

Timothy Clark

Owner of Radiant Heart Studios