Silk screened Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Flags

Today was a nice sunny welcome change from the relentless wind and rain of Tropical Storm Fay which had taken a very slow course through northeast Florida a couple of days ago.

Hoping for some more sun tomorrow, I'm gearing up for a day of printing prayer flags in a new, 'petite' size of 7" x 10", a popular item in my Eastern Sun Printworks dharma emporium on Etsy.

"Unique to Tibetan Buddhism, prayer flags printed with auspicious symbols and colors are believed to transmit blessings and exert a powerful force for good when they flutter in the wind. High in the Himalayas, such sacred flags have been flown for more than a thousand years, symbolizing the protective and healing influence of the Dharma." Thanks to the Tibetan Aid Project.

I have adapted a traditional design I found long ago in a Dover Art Book, from which I have made silkscreen stencils in various sizes. I print on cotton fabric in the 5 colors of the 5 Dhyani Buddha families. The Lung-ta or Windhorse in the center carries the prayers to every corner of every conceivable universe, to bring compassionate wishes to all beings. The flags are typically hung outdoors where they eventually disintegrate in the elements. They may also be hung anywhere inside the home, for example, in the doorway leading to your shrine room.

May all sentient beings benefit!