How to Make Prayer Flags
- 1). Reflect on a prayer to add to your prayer flag. If, for example, you want to send blessings for peace in a war-torn world, write a brief prayer for peace. If you are concerned about global climate change or world hunger, let your prayer be a unique expression of your compassion for a suffering world.
- 2). Recite or chant your prayer as you prepare your prayer flag. Imbue your mental prayerful focus into the prayer cloth as you cut it and decorate it.
- 3). Select colors representing the focus of your prayer. Purple conveys spiritual intent. If you are praying for the Earth, use greens and browns. Since the flag is your personal prayerful expression, reflect on colors with meaning to you.
- 4). Draw or paint your prayer onto the cloth. Prayer flags are rooted in Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhists expect their prayer flags to fade and disintegrate as reminders of the impermanence of all things. Rather than indelible ink, use ink or paints that will fade. As the colors fade, you will be reminded to make a new flag with new prayers. Fly new prayer flags as the old ones disintegrate.
- 5). Attach string to your flag by threading it through safety pins and then tying the string to the spot where you wish to fly your flag.
