Artist Statement: Prayers in the Wind

Prayers provide hope to many people.    Since it takes more than prayers and hope to solve problems, this globe’s message is first to recognize that we have problems and then make commitments to solve them.  Earth 36 is inspired by the Tibetan tradition of prayer flags.  It is designed to send wishes for solutions to environmental problems into the wind and perhaps change the way the winds blow.

Tibetan prayer flags were my inspiration as they are intended to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom.   We need these traits to work together to solve our environmental problems. Prayers written on flags and blown by the wind spread the good will and compassion and are thought to bring benefit to all.

These flags come in five colors strung in the following order: blue, white, red, green, and yellow. Blue represents the sky, white represents the air, red symbolizes fire, green symbolizes water, and yellow symbolizes earth. All five colors together signify balance.  These five colors also stand for the five main directions, which are north, south, east, west and center. 

When carrying this earth, it is important to keep good, selfless motivations in mind, in keeping with the flags’ ultimate purpose, which is spreading positivity everywhere as blessings spread by the wind.