The influence of Mahayana Buddhism is evident throughout Bhutan. Monasteries seated high on the edges of the mountainsides serve as sanctuaries to monks and pilgrims. Miniature chortens peek out from the crevices of hillsides. Prayer flags fabricated from vertical or horizontal strips of blue, green, red, yellow, and white cloth are hung throughout the countryside. The five elements of nature, water, wood, fire, earth, and iron, are represented by each color. Symbols of Buddhist wisdom, directions, and meditations are embedded within each flag. Through the blowing of the wind, prayers are sent out through the Himalayan Hills for the goodwill of all sentient beings. I'd like to share the beauty and mantras of these prayer flags with you ...
White prayer flags, appearing lilac in color now many years after being erected, surrounding a chorten in the marshes of the Phobjikha Valley
The tree serves as the center of the flags: Kharbandi Goemba 
Blowing through the wind above Dochu-La
Mantras embedded within each flag
Horizontal and vertical flags at the base of the hills beneath a monastery
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