Cultures and Religions of the Himalayan Region

Teresa Peña
Byrd Middle School
Exploratory ID Unit

ART

P.E.

HOME SKILLS

LANGUAGE

Tibetan Prayer Flags

Lungta

GOALS - To learn about the materials, symbols and methods used to create Tibetan prayer flags.

OBJECTIVES - Students will design and create prayer flags using authentic symbols and/or script. They will use sewing skills to produce a collection of flags in the five traditional colors. Then students will display their flags in the Asian resource center.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS - What are your wishes? What shapes or figures would you use to represent them? Do different colors mean different things to you?

Homeskills teachers will find prayer flags an easy project that will assist students who are learning simple stitching, design and measurement.

Tibetan prayer flags or lungta are a part of the Tibetan Buddhist religious and cultural traditions. The flags are brightly colored and hang on mountain passes and other high places. Each flag has a written prayer or mantra written on it to bring about compassion, peace and good fortune. It is believed that when the wind blows the flag, the messages are carried away through the air. One of the most common messages or mantras is "Om mane padme hum." The translation is "hail to the jewel and the lotus." This refers to Chenrezig, the buddha of compassion. For a better understanding of history or symbolic meanings of prayer flags explore the links below.

Meaning and Symbols of Prayer Flags

History and Traditions of Prayer Flags

Wind Horse Image