Tibetans believe that when the prayers and mantras are blown in the wind, they rise to the gods, bringing prosperity to the person who hung them, his family, friends, acquaintances and even enemies. By hanging the flags in high places on the ta, the wind horse, can bring blessings to all living beings. In doing so, the air itself is purified by the flags.

Old flags often lose their colours due to the weather and wind. It is believed that this is because the prayers are slowly absorbed into the environment. Just as life is a cycle of death and rebirth, Tibetans hang new flags next to the old ones, to symbolize the self-renewal aspect of life.