Prayers for the dead
by Jeff Burgess
Title
Prayers for the dead
Artist
Jeff Burgess
Medium
Photograph - Fusion Photography
Description
This piece is composed of multiple elements taken from several photoshoots. The prayer flags were photographed by a good friend Nancy Oyloe from her trip to Bhutan. The woman image is supplied by Janice Gordon, a wonderful artist friend living in New York (look her up). All other elements were provided by myself. This piece offers prayers of hope with symbols of doves and offered prayer flags.
As noted in Wikipedia "Traditionally, prayer flags come in sets of five: one in each of five colors. The five colors are arranged from left to right in a specific order: blue, white, red, green, and yellow. The five colors represent the elements and the Five Pure Lights. Different elements are associated with different colors for specific traditions, purposes and sadhana. Blue symbolizes the sky and space, white symbolizes the air and wind, red symbolizes fire, green symbolizes water, and yellow symbolizes earth. According to Traditional Tibetan medicine, health and harmony are produced through the balance of the five elements".
Further: "Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to gods, which is a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all.
By hanging flags in high places the Lung ta will carry the blessings depicted on the flags to all beings. As wind passes over the surface of the flags, which are sensitive to the slightest movement of the wind, the air is purified and sanctified by the mantras.
The prayers of a flag become a permanent part of the universe as the images fade from exposure to the elements. Just as life moves on and is replaced by new life, Tibetans renew their hopes for the world by continually mounting new flags alongside the old. This act symbolizes a welcoming of life's changes and an acknowledgment that all beings are part of a greater ongoing cycle".
Doves also symbolize peace, love, and the 'Holy Spirit'. Doves are portrayed as white in color, are used as messengers of the above concepts. According to Wikipedia: "Doves appear in the symbolism of Judaism, Christianity and Paganism, and of both military and pacifist groups".
There is much to be seen in this work and I hope that you will take the time to look carefully at the detail.
Because the symbols and mantras on prayer flags are sacred, they should be treated with respect. They should not be placed on the ground or used on clothing. Old prayer flags should be burned.
Uploaded
September 2nd, 2014
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