The two syllable word lungta is a prayer recited or flown or hoisted as prayer flag to bring good fortune. The first syllable lung, represents the element 'space' in the five-fold classification of the elements 'earth, water, fire, air and space' and signifies 'universal foundation' or 'Omni pervasiveness'. The second syllable Ta (horse) refers to the 'excellent horse'.
Since in ancient times in Tibet the horse was the symbol of traveling with the greatest speed, in this case it seems to refer to the alteration of everything that depends on the five elements from negative to positive, from good to bad, from misfortune to good fortune, from baleful portents to auspicious signs, from poverty to prosperity, and it implies that this should ensue with the greatest speed.
The meaning of lungta can be described on several levels:
1. Outer Level: Mythical Creature
On the outer level, the lungta is a mythical Tibetan creature from pre-Buddhist times that combines the speed of the wind and the strength of the horse to carry prayers from earth to the heavens.
2. Inner Level: Positive Qualities
Lungta is associated with positive energy or ‘life force’ and with ‘good luck’. It is both the restrainer of evil and the vehicle of enlightenment.
The lungta symbol is often depicted on prayer flags, which are flown to generate merit and increase one's life force. Lungta prayer flags typically display a tiger, a snow lion, a garuda, and a dragon, with a lungta in the center. Certain lungta prayers also refer to these four symbols.
The tiger, snow lion, garuda, and dragon are ancient symbols of the qualities of lungta that originate with pre-Buddhist Tibetan and Chinese astrological traditions. Generally, they symbolize the audacity and buoyancy of lungta.
3. Secret Level: The Space Element
At a deeper level, the lungta and the four dignities symbolize the play of the five elements, out of which all phenomena are formed. The lungta symbolizes space, the ground of all manifestation; in fact, in astrological texts lungta is sometimes spelt longta, 'horse of space'. The tiger symbolizes the wind element; the snow lion, earth; the garuda, fire; and the dragon, water.
Traditionally, they are set out in the same configuration as the five-part Mandala used for the five Buddha families, as can be seen in lungta prayer flags.
4. Most Secret Level: The Inner Air or Wind
In Tibetan Buddhism, the mind is seen as being dependent on, or mounted on, the subtle energy or inner air or wind within the body. This subtle energy is therefore called the ‘windhorse’, in Tibetan lungta. Whether the wind-horse is strong or weak determines whether positive or negative tendencies dominate the mind. On an everyday level, the windhorse is also very much linked to what is commonly known as ‘good luck’.
On the outer level, the lungta is a mythical Tibetan creature from pre-Buddhist times that combines the speed of the wind and the strength of the horse to carry prayers from earth to the heavens.
2. Inner Level: Positive Qualities
Lungta is associated with positive energy or ‘life force’ and with ‘good luck’. It is both the restrainer of evil and the vehicle of enlightenment.
The lungta symbol is often depicted on prayer flags, which are flown to generate merit and increase one's life force. Lungta prayer flags typically display a tiger, a snow lion, a garuda, and a dragon, with a lungta in the center. Certain lungta prayers also refer to these four symbols.
The tiger, snow lion, garuda, and dragon are ancient symbols of the qualities of lungta that originate with pre-Buddhist Tibetan and Chinese astrological traditions. Generally, they symbolize the audacity and buoyancy of lungta.
3. Secret Level: The Space Element
At a deeper level, the lungta and the four dignities symbolize the play of the five elements, out of which all phenomena are formed. The lungta symbolizes space, the ground of all manifestation; in fact, in astrological texts lungta is sometimes spelt longta, 'horse of space'. The tiger symbolizes the wind element; the snow lion, earth; the garuda, fire; and the dragon, water.
Traditionally, they are set out in the same configuration as the five-part Mandala used for the five Buddha families, as can be seen in lungta prayer flags.
4. Most Secret Level: The Inner Air or Wind
In Tibetan Buddhism, the mind is seen as being dependent on, or mounted on, the subtle energy or inner air or wind within the body. This subtle energy is therefore called the ‘windhorse’, in Tibetan lungta. Whether the wind-horse is strong or weak determines whether positive or negative tendencies dominate the mind. On an everyday level, the windhorse is also very much linked to what is commonly known as ‘good luck’.
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