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The Windhorse symbolizes the uplifting lIfe force energy that brings good fortune. The Tibetan word for Windhorse is Lung-rTa (pronounced: loong-ta). Besides meaning “Wind,” "Lung" is also a word for “life force,” similar to the Sanskrit word “Prana.” Increasing one’s "Lung-ta" increases their health, wealth and power. On the contrary, low lungta is thought to be the cause of hardships, ill health, and spiritual stagnation. Through meditation, certain rituals, prayer, meritorious actions, and ethical living, individuals can nurture their inner Windhorse, building physical, mental, and spiritual fortitude to face life's challenges. In a fast-paced world where individuals often face stress and emotional exhaustion, the Windhorse offers a reminder of the importance of inner strength and alignment with the forces of nature and spirituality. Putting up Wind Horse prayer flags is one of the easiest and most effective ways to raise one's Lungta. As the wind blows by the prayer flags the Wind Horse spreads its blessing through the surrounding environment, increasing the well-being and good fortune of all beings in the area.
The Windhorse flag is the most popular design of Tibetan prayer flags. The many sizes and various designs of Windhorse flags all have the figure of a Windhorse in the center; usually carrying the flaming wish-fulfilling jewel of enlightenment. The Four Auspicious Animals reside in or near the 4 corners. The rest of the flag may contain various other sacred symbols, prayers, sutras, and mantras.
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I drew the Windhorse design above in 1976 and have been printing it for more than 45 years. The Wind Horse carries the wish fulfilling jewel of enlightenment and the 4 Auspicious Animals in the corners. I added the Eight Auspicious Symbols down the sides. At the top is a symbolic representation of the Buddhas's first teaching at Deer Park. The text inscribes the mantras of many deities: Manjushri, Avolokiteshvara, Vajrapani, Amitabha, Amitayus, Padmasambhava, The Peaceful Deities, the Wrathful Deities, Tara, Vajrakilaya, and Vajrasattva.
Twenty years ago, we tried sewing cloth borders on some prints. I recently discovered some in our warehouse. We print on 100% cotton fabric in our California studio. Sewing the 2" double-folded borders proved to be too labor intensive, so we only made them for a short time.They are 16 in.x 18". The top and bottom borders are open at the ends so rods can be inserted, if you want to hang them that way. Thumbtacks or mounting putty work as well. We will only be selling the bordered ones I found until the stock runs out (about 20 of them).
We used to sell them for $24. They are now on sale for $16.
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Wind Horse Prayer Flags on Rope
On Sale This Month Only
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The image above is of one of the white prayer flags from our 5 color sets on rope, pictured below. | |
These come in sets of 5, 10, and 25. | |
Windhorse with Victory Banner Sutra | |
Single Print Large Windhorse Prayer Flags | |
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Back in the early '70's, I was living in a small cabin on the Lost Coast of Northern California overlooking the Pacific. One day, while exploring the winding trails in this magical community, I came across a dilapidated and deserted cabin. Inside, tacked to a wall, was a woodblock print on rice paper that the previous occupant had evidently used as a dartboard! I recognized the tattered print to be a Wind Horse prayer flag design. Taking it home, I laboriously traced and transferred the design to high quality drawing paper, filling in what had been erased by the dart holes. A few years later, I worked with Lama Dawa Chhodak correcting the mistakes in the text and translating it. We made a silk screen and began printing the prayer flag in our studio. The translation can be found in the "Prayer Flag Translation" section of the website. When traveling in India and NepalI always kept a bundle of various prayer flags to give away. By far, the most popular flag design with the Lamas was this Large Wind Horse flag.
The print on the left is in Tibetan. The English version is on the right.
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The Windhorse design comes embroidered on 3 colors of Dharma Caps.
These "Flexfit" caps come in two sizes: Small/Medium & Large/Xlarge
Stone Maroon Black
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October's Drawing for a Free Rice Paper Print | |
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Since the topic of this month's newsletter is the Windhorse, I looked through my files and found this woodblock print of a Windhorse prayer flags design. I obtained this rice paper print from a Tibetan refugee who brought a rolled up pile of prints with him over the Himalayas when he escaped the Chinese army in Tibet in the early '60''s. It's remarkable that this flimsy print made the journey with only a minor tear (on the right hand side}. Perhaps even more remarkable is that I able to get it to California from Northern India in one piece. If you'd like a chance to win this woodblock print in this month's drawing, email your name and postal address to: prayerflags2@gmail.com.
Thank you for submitting your entries.
Congratulations to the winner of last month's drawing for the
Health & Longevity Yantra woodblock print:
Dennis Radovitch of Creighton PA
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The 8th lunar month is a busy one for the nagas. They are active making clothing and dressing up. If you make offerings to them on teb days, you will never suffer from the lack of food and clothes. Whatever they are getting, you will also get. However, if you make offerings to them on other days, even if you offer very precious things, they will be too busy to attend. There will be no result.
Most of the days of the eighth lunar month are auspicious for making offerings. In particular, October 4th, 10th (Medicine Buddha day), 14th, 17th (full moon), and 31st (Dharmapala day) are best. The days to especially avoid are the 12th (Guru day) and the 21st.
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World Peace Prayer Flags for a New Mexico gathering | |
Backyard prayer flags in Madison, WI | |
Thank you so much for sending me photos of your prayer flag displays! | |
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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: prayerflags2@gmail.com
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter.
Timothy Clark
Owner of Radiant Heart Studios
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