Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans?
Page: 1, 2  Next
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
pck
Samba Member


Joined: July 19, 2008
Posts: 59
Location: Columbus, OH
pck is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:17 am    Post subject: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

I keep seeing those primary colors pennants or flags hanging in lots of van videos and pictures. There's something written on them but I can never make it out. What are those?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vik
Samba Member


Joined: January 13, 2005
Posts: 238
Location: back in Czech
vik is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:21 am    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

Picture would help.
But I think you do refer about the prayer flag: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_flag
_________________
T3 Syncro camper in progress
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
joetiger Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5234
Location: denver
joetiger is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:26 am    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

A guy I work with did a trek in Nepal and I had but one request, bring me some Tibetan prayer flags (it seems pretentious even beyond me to buy your own--from what I understand, they should be gifted.)

He forgot. So now I gotta go to Nepal.
_________________
Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'91 Wolfsburg Carat "Barchetta"
'02 Baja-ish Beetle "Bubbles"

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Justice for Megan: https://linktr.ee/justiceformegantrussell
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
si2t3m
Samba Member


Joined: September 08, 2005
Posts: 80
Location: Quebec, Canada
si2t3m is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:33 am    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

Must be for the different Vanagon gods (WBX, tranmission, coolant circuit gods) to keep them happy and make a pleasant trip. Apparently burning sage before a trip also helps to keep them happy. Very Happy
_________________
Marc-André Morin
90 Westy Syncro EJ25
90 Weinsburg Syncro EJ22
76 Westfalia EZ30D
72 911 Targa
70 914-6 conversion
69 Ghia convertible
68 912 coupe
67 912/911 coupe
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Gallery Classifieds Feedback
joetiger Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5234
Location: denver
joetiger is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:42 am    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

si2t3m wrote:
Must be for the different Vanagon gods (WBX, tranmission, coolant circuit gods) to keep them happy and make a pleasant trip. Apparently burning sage before a trip also helps to keep them happy. Very Happy


My van has been saged. I can't tell if it did anything or not, but it got rid of the fuel/exhaust smell for the evening.

This guy deserves to have prayer flags in his van. He and his girlfriend drove from Berlin to Tibet.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=488112&start=0
_________________
Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'91 Wolfsburg Carat "Barchetta"
'02 Baja-ish Beetle "Bubbles"

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Justice for Megan: https://linktr.ee/justiceformegantrussell
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
pck
Samba Member


Joined: July 19, 2008
Posts: 59
Location: Columbus, OH
pck is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:49 am    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

vik wrote:
Picture would help.
But I think you do refer about the prayer flag: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_flag


Yes! That's what it is. Either there are a lot of Buddhist Vanagon owners, or they're all taking roadtrips to Tibet.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
djkeev
Samba Moderator


Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
djkeev is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 10:29 am    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

From Wiki but God knows we need a lot more of these prayer flags right now!!

"Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to gods, which is a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all."

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
ALIKA T3
Samba Member


Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 7164
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
ALIKA T3 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 1:04 pm    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

A friend went mountain biking Nepal, he brought me back some, I appreciate the thought but I can't display them, I don't believe in any of it to begin with and it became such a vanlife stereotype item, I don't want to be associated with it Laughing
_________________
Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
4Gears4Tires
Samba Member


Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 4140
Location: MD
4Gears4Tires is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:45 pm    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

si2t3m wrote:
Must be for the different Vanagon gods (WBX, tranmission, coolant circuit gods) to keep them happy and make a pleasant trip. Apparently burning sage before a trip also helps to keep them happy. Very Happy


There is only the Omnissiah when it comes to keeping mechanical objects happy. I need to find a spot to put a Cog Mechanicum on the van. Maybe the Machine God will bless my little transport.

Yes, yes.. nerd alert. Laughing
_________________
'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
mtnhome Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: July 17, 2010
Posts: 612
Location: Summit County, CO
mtnhome is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:53 pm    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

joetiger wrote:
A guy I work with did a trek in Nepal and I had but one request, bring me some Tibetan prayer flags (it seems pretentious even beyond me to buy your own--from what I understand, they should be gifted.)

He forgot. So now I gotta go to Nepal.


Hi Joe, Send me a text before the next Denver get together and I'l bring some prayer flags for you. Think I have some around, my daugther in law is Nepali so I have a source.
_________________
'84 Westy, '93 Subaru ej22 and Subarugears 5speed
Build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=763098&highlight=
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member


Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12161
Location: Port Manteau
Zeitgeist 13 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:56 pm    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

The most relevant vanlife flags to be displaying are the strings of bath and dish towels drying in the sun and wind.

I want a flag that says Namaste Mutherf@#kers
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Abscate Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 23776
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
Abscate is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 12:07 am    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

When I asked the Dali Lama if his favourite pizza was “ one with everything” they tied me up with those flags and threw me off the mountain.
_________________
🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🍊 🍊 🍊
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
mikemtnbike
Samba Member


Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 2930
Location: North Carolina
mikemtnbike is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 4:43 am    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

Yeah prayer flags...I'm that stereotype I guess. I like the way they look and guess what? They have meanings for me. I like that they're swaying above my motor sending goodwill to it and the people I pass in life. They also remind me of some really amazing experiences I had trekking in the Himalayas so many years ago the only evidence is on film photos. One of these directly involved prayer flags and being invited to help.a community set some at a 19,000 foot pass, a moment of serendipity I hope I never forget.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled Sad https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
campism
Samba Member


Joined: September 07, 2007
Posts: 4669
Location: Richmond VA
campism is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:40 am    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

Abscate wrote:
When I asked the Dali Lama if his favourite pizza was “ one with everything” they tied me up with those flags and threw me off the mountain.

What did Jeffrey Dahmer like on his pizza? Everybody.

Okay, so you had to be around in '90s to appreciate those cannibalism jokes.
_________________
'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic, tragically crushed by a falling hickory tree in my own driveway and now gone, leaving me Vanagonless and with no plans to replace it, alas.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vanis13
Samba Member


Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 4373
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
vanis13 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 6:05 am    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

mikemtnbike wrote:
....I like that they're swaying above my motor sending goodwill to it and the people I pass in life.....


HOLD ON!!!! You mean the prayer flags give power to a 2.1!?!?!
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make


Last edited by vanis13 on Sat Oct 23, 2021 7:47 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
mikemtnbike
Samba Member


Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 2930
Location: North Carolina
mikemtnbike is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 6:33 am    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

vanis13 wrote:
mikemtnbike wrote:
....I like that they're swaying above my motor sending goodwill to it and the people I pass in life.....


HOLD ON!!!! You mean the prayer flags give power to a 2.1!?!?!


No they just remind it that power doesn’t really matter, enjoy the moment.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled Sad https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vanis13
Samba Member


Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 4373
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
vanis13 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 7:49 am    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

mikemtnbike wrote:
vanis13 wrote:
mikemtnbike wrote:
....I like that they're swaying above my motor sending goodwill to it and the people I pass in life.....


HOLD ON!!!! You mean the prayer flags give power to a 2.1!?!?!


No they just remind it that power doesn’t really matter, enjoy the moment.


circular Zen Shocked
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Love My Westy
Samba Member


Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 1894

Love My Westy is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 10:49 am    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

I can see it now: GoWesty Prayer Flags Laughing Laughing Laughing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member


Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12161
Location: Port Manteau
Zeitgeist 13 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 12:11 pm    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

The wit and wisdom of Carl Spackler transcends your flagging vanlife..."which is nice."


Link

_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
bryanarchy
Samba Member


Joined: September 16, 2020
Posts: 38
Location: Alberta
bryanarchy is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 12:39 pm    Post subject: Re: What are those string of flags I keep seeing in vans? Reply with quote

4Gears4Tires wrote:

There is only the Omnissiah when it comes to keeping mechanical objects happy. I need to find a spot to put a Cog Mechanicum on the van. Maybe the Machine God will bless my little transport.

Yes, yes.. nerd alert. Laughing


hehe
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2024, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.