Bhutan - Prayer Flags

Few of us westerners and unfamiliar with prayer flags.  What I learned about them, however, may enhance your enjoyment and use of them and, at the same time diminish their value.

As to the first, the enjoyment, it may be interesting to know that these flags are created in five symbolic colors.  White is for iron, yellow for earth, red for fire, blue for water and green for wood.

The flags are, at least in Bhutan, mostly erected on a hill overlooking a river.  The idea being that the wind and the waters enhance the long journey.

I was told, however, that these flags are useless - useless was the actual word uttered sadly as my friend shook his head from side to side - unless blessed by a monk.

The most prayer flags I saw in Bhutan were atop Dochu Pass where not only a large shrine had been erected by the Queen but where also at least one monk was in attendance. These flags on one of the highest passes in the country were definitely able to set the prayers sailing on their way.