Prayer Flags

There's something about backlit prayer flags that reminds me of poppies. The paper thin colors attached to small strings, blowing in the wind.  They appear fragile but withstand most elements.  One can find them anywhere - in Himalayan passes or on back porches.  They are believed to bless the surrounding countryside. 
I bought a string of prayer flags last week at the Tibetan store on College Avenue. I was instructed to hang the blue first, and then the other colors in order.  The five colors represent the five elements.  Blue symbolizes the sky and space, white symbolizes the air and wind, red symbolizes fire, green symbolizes water, and yellow symbolizes earth.  According to Tibetan traditions, health and harmony are produced through the balance of the five elements.