Issues – Wind-Horse Flag

NI HAO from China

E-ZINE / Where to Enjoy

Wind-Horse Flag

Updated: 2007-07-24 08:38

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When a traveler sees flags of various colors, shapes and designs blowing
in the wind on high mountain passes and roof-tops or above rapids in
mountain streams, bridges and monasteries, they know they are somewhere
near a Tibetan. The Prayer Flag, or Wind-Horse Flag, can be seen hanging
throughout the Tibetan Plateau and indeed, anywhere Tibetans live, such
as Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan provinces as well as in countries
neighboring Tibet: Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan.

These flags, “Lung Ta” in Tibetan, are called “prayer flags” or
“wind-horse flags,” a literal translation of “Lung Ta”: “Lung” meaning
wind and “Tu” referring to horse in Tibetan.

Wind horse of the early stages referred to fleeces hung on the trees or
brushwood. Nowadays, the skeleton heads of flocks and herds can still be
found among the Mani piles. In the mind of the Tibetans, wind horse
refers to mankind’s destiny and fortune, and in some special cases it
points to the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. held by
the ancients to compose the entire physical universe, and later used in
traditional Chinese medicine to explain various physiological phenomena).
If a wind-horse flag is placed at the convergence of nimbus, the symbols
on it will create an offering or prayer, which the wind distributes to
the world every time it brushes against the flag. This is believed to be
useful for the realization of a person’s dreams.

Just like any other art form in Tibet, the creation and distribution of
prayer flags is promoted by its religious motif, and at the same time,
acts as a medium for religious followers to communicate with the world of
spirituality and divinity.

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>> I will continue the story on my next post, happy reading!

Russia – Iraqi fans stock up on petrol and ammunition

? ?

Sports / News

Iraqi fans stock up on petrol and ammunition

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-07-25 08:36

BAGHDAD, July 24 – Iraqi fans have been stocking up on petrol and
ammunition in preparation for their national soccer team’s Asian Cup
semi-final against South Korea on Wednesday.

Ibrahim al-Musawi said he had already brought 20 litres of petrol to make
sure he could fuel his small generator to watch the whole match as Iraq’s
national power grid provides electricity for only a few hours a day.

“This is one of the strongest Iraqi sides ever and they fill us with
pride,” Musawi told Reuters.

“We are tired of the sadness that always surrounds us. I sometimes wish
we are always playing in international tournaments so we can remain
happy.”

A convincing 3-1 victory over pre-tournament favourites Australia helped
Iraq top Group A before a 2-0 victory knocked out Vietnam, one of the
four co-hosts, in the quarter-finals.

Each time Iraq have played the streets back home have almost emptied with
a scattering of pedestrians left outside standing to watch at the nearest
shop displaying the game on small televisions. Each time the final
whistle has triggered euphoric, ear-shattering celebrations.

Youths drape themselves and their cars in large Iraqi flags and parade
around the streets to loud music and dancing.

Others prefer the tribal tradition of firing their weapons into the air
in deafening, often deadly barrages.

Three people died and about 50 were wounded when bullets fired in
celebration of Iraq’s victory over Vietnam on Saturday came back down at
lethal speed.

The enthusiasm and optimism back home will increase the pressure on the
Iraq team ahead of the showdown with twice Asian champions South Korea,
with the players hoping to bring some much-needed relief to their chaotic
homeland.

Goalkeeper Noor Sabri Abbas said the players were aware of the football
fever gripping their country after contacting friends and relatives.

“We really want to do well for the people of Iraq,” he said.

“We have a really good chance to make history for Iraqi football and the
whole country is behind us.”

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