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Prayer flags Tibet


Prayer flags Tibet
Photo Information
Copyright: Ruud Blok (ruudblok) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1962 W: 768 N: 2221] (22329)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-30
Categories: Daily Life, Event
Camera: Canon 30D, Canon EF-S17-85 f/4-5.6 IS USM
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-08-11 7:05
Viewed: 684
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Prayer flags are colorful panels or rectangular cloths often found strung along mountain ridges and peaks in the Himalayas to bless the surrounding countryside. Unknown in other branches of Buddhism, prayer flags are believed to have originated with Bön, which predated Buddhism in Tibet. Traditionally they are woodblock-printed with texts and images.
Lungta and Darchor styles

Prayer flags in the Qilian Mountain, ChinaThere are two kinds of prayer flags: horizontal ones, called lung ta (meaning "wind horse") in Tibetan, and the vertical Darchor.

Lung Ta (horizontal) prayer flags are of square or rectangular shape and are connected along their top edges to a long string or thread. They are commonly hung on a diagonal line from high to low between two objects (e.g., a rock and the top of a pole) in high places such as the tops of temples, monasteries, stupas or mountain passes.
Color and order
Traditionally, prayer flags come in sets of five, one in each of five colors. The five colors represent the elements and are arranged from left to right in a specific order:

Blue (symbolizing sky/space)
White (symbolizing wind/air)
Red (symbolizing fire)
Green (symbolizing water)
Yellow (symbolizing earth)

Symbols and prayers
The center of a prayer flag traditionally features a "Ta" (powerful or strong horse) bearing three flaming jewels on its back. The Ta is a symbol of speed and the transformation of bad fortune to good fortune. The three flaming jewels symbolize the Buddha, the Dharma (Buddhist teachings), and the Sangha (Buddhist community), the three cornerstones of Tibetan philosophical tradition.

SunToucher, wenqing, limba3, TheMystic, haben, Pops71, Beger, weled has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hoi Ruud,
Een prachtige foto met een perfecte composition. De vlaggen geven de foto een erg mooie diepte. Het feit dat je dan ook nog zo'n mooi achtergrond hebt maakt de foto natuurlijk nog mooier. Wat ik erg mooi vind, is dat je de vlaggen net boven de wolken partij hebt weten te houden. De kleuren en helderheid zijn echt perfect. Het lijkt er op dat je een CP filter hebt gebruikt.
Groeten,
Niek

very informative note here ruud :)
this is a wonderful place for photos
hope to see it one day
thanks for sharing

koh

woow
that is my dream place
Tfs inga

  • Great 
  • limba3 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1081 W: 436 N: 421] (13302)
  • [2007-08-11 11:57]

Hi
Very exhaustive note. I learnt today of something new. TFS. Photograph curiously composed.
Anna

  • Great 
  • korbee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1368 W: 0 N: 1670] (13545)
  • [2007-08-11 12:07]

Een prachtig eenzame foto,die me doet denken aan mijn tijd in Mustang Nepal aan de Tibetaanse grens,zowel de vlaggen als het landschap.
Een plek voor bezinning,mooi Ruud.
jan

Great picture to illustrate the very informative note! I remember a similar picture of yours from some time ago on a mountain top. Awesome display!
Cheers
Otto

  • Great 
  • haben Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 203 W: 10 N: 22] (1161)
  • [2007-08-11 14:05]

hi ruud
a fantastic shot. very intens colors a great compo and pov. must be great to be in such a country and take pictures.

have a nice time
haben

  • Great 
  • k-2 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 632 W: 13 N: 491] (3541)
  • [2007-08-11 17:03]

I like prayer flags. TFS. K2

  • Great 
  • Pops71 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 263 W: 28 N: 522] (2093)
  • [2007-08-11 18:57]

Hello Ruud,
Superb capture illustrating your very instructive note. I like the POV with the sky and clouds showing under the prayer flags. Great colors and sharpness. Well done . Congrats
Greetings
Pierre

strong message
I like the colorfull display and the saturation... fantastic capture !!!

  • Great 
  • Beger Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3305 W: 787 N: 4423] (19894)
  • [2007-08-12 13:22]

Hi Ruud,
With their colors, I find that there is much joy in these prayer flags. They animate the austere landscape in a beautiful way. Your photo shows a good perspective enhancing this colorful impact. Your informative note highlights, the poverty of our own symbols which disappear more and more in our consumer society. Very well done!

Hello Ruud,

I really like this POV alot well composed and captured photo excllent colors bg POV DOF excllent work

TFS Kyle
PT

  • Great 
  • jawa Gold Star Critiquer [C: 1372 W: 0 N: 1] (12003)
  • [2007-08-14 0:38]

Haallo Ruud
Mooie kleurrijke foto van een zeer mooi land zo te zien.
Gr Jos
P**

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