The wind horse is an allegory for the human soul in the shamanistic tradition of Central Asia. In Tibetan Buddhism, it was included as the pivotal element in the center of the four animals symbolizing the cardinal directions and a symbol of the idea of well-being or good fortune. It has also given the name to a type of prayer flag that has the five animals printed on it.
Depending on the language, the symbol has slightly different names.
- རླུང་རྟ་, rlung rta, pronounced lungta, Tibetan for wind horse
- хийморь, Khiimori, Mongolian literally for "gas horse," semantically "wind horse," colloquial meaning soul.
- Rüzgar Tayi, old Turkic for foal of the wind.
Read more about Wind Horse: In Tibetan Usage, Heraldry, Further Reading
Famous quotes containing the words wind and/or horse:
““Learn what is true, in order to do what is right,” is the summing up of the whole duty of man, for all who are unable to satisfy their mental hunger with the east wind of authority.”
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)
“When a horse comes to the edge of the cliff, it is too late to draw rein; when a boat reaches midstream, it is too late to stop the leaks.”
—Chinese proverb.