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Geomantic dream flag

The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, is well known for his visions and prophesies, one such divinemanifestation is commonly known as the 'Kagyu flag' and more famously called the 'dreamflag', in reference to the fact that the banner appeared to him in a dream.

He named the banner 'namkhyen gyaldar' meaning "Victorious Flag of Buddhas Wisdom.Imparting the details of his vision to his close disciples, His Holiness Karmapa went on toproclaim:

Wherever this banner is flown the Dharma will flourish.

Since the birth of the flag, there has evolved a few different versions of the Karmamap's dreamflag, most of these versions seem to have strayed from the flags' original legacy; as perhaps itsnew creators simply did not know and appreciate the profundity of its sacred geomanticconstruction.

This blog post is to explain and re-introduce the original proportionate construction andmeaning behind the banner. There is also a true version of the dream flag that can be freelytaken and reproduced for your own purposes, found at the bottom of this post.

Photo: James Wainwright

May the glorious Dharma flourish

Tibetan Calligraphy art ist:

www.tashimannox.com

inkessentialUnited KingdomTashi is an Englishman whostarted on his path in the artsand meditation at the tenderage of 11. Shortly after he

finished his formal art degree training, hebecame a Buddhist monk in the Tibetan KarmaKagyu order. For the next 17 years he studiedunder a Tibetan master of arts called SherabPalden Beru, apprenticing in the elaborate artof temple decoration and Tibetan calligraphy.In his finishing years as a monk, Tashi studiedunder a master of the rare ancient Sanskritforms, namely Lantsa and Wartu in Dharamsala.Since the beginning of the Millennium, Tashihas been actively creative in Tibetancalligraphy and iconography, established as aninternationally known artist. This blog is toshare knowledge on Tibetan related scripts,upholding the integrity of their ancientheritage, through a concern in conservationand preservation and to communicate Dharma;is very much at the heart of Tashi's work as anartist.View my complete profile

ARTIST OF CONTEMPORARY TIBETANCALLIGRAPHY AND ICONOGRAPHY

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During the early 90's Tashi was asked to reproduce the Dream flag by the Samye LingMonastery in Scotland, who's intention was to donate the flag to Karma Kagyu Buddhistestablishments around the world, in order to replicate the flag correctly, in respect of itsoriginal design. Tashi was privileged to have first-hand authentication of the original banner design to himfrom two different sources:

One such original design of the banner hangs framed on a wall of a The seat monastery of H EJamgon Khontrul Rinpoche in Pullahari, above Boudha, Kathmandu. Tashi was sent to investigate the flag with instructions to take notes so to replicate the flagcorrectly to the right design and dimensions.The other reference of the flag, was personally explained to Tashi by H E Situ Rinpoche. AsSitu Rinpoche was witness to the original creation of the flag while together with his GuruH.H. the 16th Karmapa.

The proportionate construction of the dream flag.

The sketch above is by the hand of Situ Rinpoche, (note his signature bottom right) who madethe drawing especially for Tashi, explaining the geomantic arrangement of how the two wavesare approached and swirl together from all four directions: two sides, top and bottom. It is also important to noted that in this drawing; the over-all dimensions of the flag wasdependent on the dimension of the piece of paper to hand at the time. Never-the-less, thesame proportionate construction of the waves should not be altered from their horizontalaxis when applied to a more standard 2:1 flag proportion, as shown in the image below.

Situ Rinpoche explained further that the center point of the two waves/swirls should be at thesame horizontal plain, contained within the rectangular construction box (as he indicated inhis drawing above), this 'construction box' should be placed squarely at the center of the flagand not on a sloping angle, (as many other versions of the dream flag are reproduced)

The possible reason for the misinterpretation of the wave alignment placed on a sloping axisin other corrupted versions of the flag, could have been confused with to the angular divisionbetween the two colours of yellow on the bottom side and blue on the top. This division runsfrom bottom left up to top right corners, as if aspiring from earth to heaven. It seems that such profundity of design could have easily been overseen, if not fullyunderstood while creating the banner and lead to the misrepresentation of the dream flag.

The correct proportionate lined construction of the banner is shown more precisely on thediagram below. This is has also been designed to fit with the international standard2:1 flag proportion.

This flag shows the incorrect construction and shades of colour.Here shows the flag in respect of the correct colours and construction.

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Moreover, Situ Rinpoche explained the colours of the flag to be a bright sky blue and shouldnot be too dark, the yellow should be earth like, not Lemon yellow and compliment the skyblue in tonal brightness, as the far below colour image shows.

To demonstrate the correct balance of tone, the flag colours in the image directly below, havebeen converted to black and white. As you can see there is little difference between the tones, which indicates a similar balancedin brightness within the colours. The contrast that catches the eye is more in the colour rather than with the tone, as theparticular blue and yellow used is far apart in the colour spectrum and complimentary.

The meaning behind the dream flag."Victory Banner of Buddha Wisdom

The elements of the flag's geomancy and colours are symbolic of the relative and absolutetruth. Relatively the colours blue and yellow represent the sky and the earth, the wavessymbolize the Buddha Dharma.On the absolute level the colours represent the union of emptiness and clarity, the truenature of mind. The intertwining waves symbolizes the union of compassion and emptiness,which is the essence of all phenomena.

Please feel free to take this above image for your own use and publish itin keeping with the Karmapa's wishes: that wherever this flag graces,

Dharma will flourish.

To purchase a Dream flag: Large size flags of 1 x 2 meters - 26"x 80" inches are available from the on-line Samye Ling

The geomantic proportionate construction of the dream flag, as drawn by Tashi Mannox from the instruction of Situ Rinpoche, 1993.

The tonal balance of the Dream flag.

The Karmapa's official Namkhyen Gyaldar Dream Flag.

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Posted by inkessential at 22:32

Labels: Dharma, Dream flag, Karmapa, symbolism

shop, made with durable nylon flag material with the relevant fitting tags for a flagpole.

May goodness increase !

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6 comments:

Anonymous 23 March 2011 14:56Thank You. Much Appreciated. I can see the differance and i believe it does matter.Reply

Jnaseh 7 April 2011 01:49Do you know a reputable place to purchase a Karmapa Dream flag? Recommendations? Thanks!

jnaseh_surendar@yahoo.comReply

svetla 7 April 2011 13:15KARMAPA CHENNO!!!!Reply

santiago 5 June 2011 14:53Very interesting thank you!Reply

Anonymous 18 September 2011 15:04The geomantic version definitely gives a kind of shock to the mind that the incorrect versionsdo not. Thank you!Reply

budasdeagua 15 January 2012 15:52I am very happy to have found your Blog in internet. As a Dharma follower,I consider your art part of Buddha's teachings. May the light embrace you always. Gassho,Sensei Paul Quinterowww.budasdeagua.wordpress.com

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