Windhorse

The windhorse: in this image the windhorse carries three jewels on its back, representing the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

Windhorse (Tib. lungta, Wyl. rlung rta) – a mythical Tibetan creature symbolizing the inner air or wind of the body and related aspects of the Buddhist path.

Overview

The meaning of the windhorse can be described on several levels:

• Outer – a mythical Tibetan creature
• Inner – qualities such as ‘good luck’
• Secret – the space element (one of the five elements)
• Most secret – the inner air or wind within the body (See lungta)

Outer Level: Windhorse as a Mythical Creature

On the outer level, the windhorse 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.

Inner Level: Qualities of the Windhorse

The Windhorse is associated with positive energy or ‘life force’ and with ‘good luck’. It is both the subduer of evil and the vehicle of enlightenment.

The windhorse symbol is often depicted on prayer flags, which are flown to generate merit and increase one's life force. Windhorse prayer flags typically display a tiger, a snow lion, a garuda, and a dragon, (the four dignities) with a windhorse 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 windhorse that originate with pre-Buddhist Tibetan and Chinese astrological traditions. Generally, they symbolize the fearlessness and resilience of windhorse. (See Shambhala: The Path of the Warrior.)

Secret Level: The Five Elements

At a deeper level, the windhorse and the four dignities symbolize the play of the five elements, out of which all phenomena are formed. The windhorse symbolizes space, the ground of all manifestation; in fact, in astrological texts lung ta 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 windhorse prayer flags.

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. For more information, see lungta