As you step into Everest Base Camp, the first thing that catches your eye is not the glacier, the tents or even the towering wall of Nuptse right in front of you; it is the flutter of the colorful flags dancing all around you in the cold Himalayan wind. These flags hang from ropes stretched between the boulders, are wrapped around the cairns and sometimes form long lines that lead toward Khumbu Icefall. So what are the flags at Everest Base Camp and what do they represent, do all of the flags have different meanings?
If you are not familiar with the Himalayan culture, you may be curious about these flags and want these popular questions answered. Well, that’s the aim of this blog. To many trekkers, these flags are just a beautiful and colorful backdrop for photos. But, for the people who live in these mountains, these flags carry stories, beliefs and centuries-old traditions that have shaped life in the Himalayas. The Everest Base Camp might feel like a temporary settlement built for climbers and trekkers.
But the flags present here bring a sense of continuity and are a reminder that even in this harsh, ever-shifting landscape, something sacred and powerful has always been here. Understanding what these flags represent adds a deep layer of experience to your journey. It will help you to see the EBC not just as a destination but also a place that is living and breathing with culture, spirituality and meaning woven into color and symbols.
More Than Decoration: What Are the Flags at Everest Base Camp?
If you have done Everest Base Camp Trek or may have come across images while surfing the internet, you may have seen the foothills of the tallest peak in the world adorned with the prayer flags. So, what are the flags at Everest Base Camp? These colorful flags you see flittering around the Everest Base Camp are the Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags that are known as ‘Lung Ta’, which can be translated to ‘Wind Horse’.
These are not just decorations for the trekkers to photograph, they are one of the oldest spiritual symbols in the Himalayan culture that carry deep meaning. The prayer flags have been part of life in the Himalayas before Everest became an epicenter for the mountaineers and trekkers. In Tibetan Buddhism, these flags are believed to carry blessings, mantras and positive intentions across the mountains.
Each of these flags is printed with sacred scriptures, prayers and protective symbols. And, it is believed that when the wind moves through them, those prayers travel across the Himalayas, spreading peace, compassion, strength and good fortune in every direction. The presence of these praying flags at Everest Base Camp is both traditional and symbolic. The whole region around Everest has deep roots in Sherpa and Tibetan Buddhist culture and the mountain itself is considered a sacred entity.
If you didn’t know, Mount Everest is known as ‘Chomolungma’ in the Tibetan language, which can be translated to ‘Goddess Mother of the World’. That’s why climbers and Sherpas hang prayer flags at the base camp to seek protection, harmony and safe passage before setting foot on the mountain.
Types of Flags Seen at Everest Base Camp
At the Everest Base Camp, you will swirl of colors that have different meanings and emotions. Yes, while the prayer flags dominate the landscape, they share space with a mix of expedition banners and memorial flags. All of these flags together tell the story of human hope, struggle and respect for the mountain. Here is what you will actually see when you step into the glacier-side campsite.
Tibetan Prayer Flags (Lung Ta)
This is the most iconic flag that can be seen at the Everest Base Camp are the traditional Tibetan prayer flags also known as Lung Ta ‘Wind Horse’. It is believed that this flag carries prayers across the world. These flags come in five vibrant colors: blue, white, red, green and yellow. There is deep meaning to what each of these colors in the flag represents.
- Blue Color— Sky and space
- White— Air and wind
- Red— Fire
- Green– Water
- Yellow— Earth
Every Lung Ta flag is printed with mantras, sacred texts and symbolic designs that represent the Wind Horse, Chenrezig, or other protective deities. These flags are not hung for aesthetic value; each line of the scripture is believed to bring protection, compassion, balance and harmony to every being living in this world.
**Note: As the flag fades and frays under the harsh winds and mountain weather, it is seen as a natural release of blessing. The discoloring is not seen as something to be replaced or discarded casually**
Expedition Flags
Alongside the spiritual Lung Ta flags, you will also find another category flag: expedition flags that climbers bring from around the world. These expedition flags often include:
- National flags that are carried as a symbol of pride
- Team flags printed with expedition names, sponsors, or organization logos
- Special banners that represent record attempts, personal missions, or awareness causes
The climbing teams leave these flags at the base camp as part of building their temporary camp. They hang the expedition flags outside dining tents, rock cairns, or near the altar to mark their presence as well as express their identity as a group.
Memorial Flags and Tribute Flags
At a certain corner of the base camp, you may also notice the memorial flags that are placed in honor of the climbers who lost their lives during the Everest expedition. These flags are often simply left as a small tribute by family, friends, or fellow expedition members. These memorial or tribute flags serve as:
- Emotional reminders of the climbers who never made it back
- An act of love and remembrance
- As symbolic prayers for peace and safe endeavours
In a world where triumph and tragedy exist side by side, these memorial flags add a quieter gravity to the vibrant atmosphere of the base camp. These memorial and tribute flags make you pause, breathe and understand the respect this tallest peak in the world demands.
Meaning Behind the Tibetan Prayer Flags
Don’t take the Tibetan prayer flags at the Everest Base Camp as just pieces of cloth that flutter with the wind. They are the living symbols of intention, spirituality and harmony. Every color, every mantra and every icon printed on these flags carries layers of meaning that have been shaped by the centuries of Himalayan traditions. At the core of these flags is a simple belief: ‘when the wind moves through them, it carries positive energy, peace and happiness to the world’.
As these flags flutter, the mountains become the messenger and spread the prayers far beyond the valley, for every living being touched by the wind. This belief transforms the act of hanging flags into something much bigger than decoration. It becomes a moment of offering, positivity, hope and connection.
Each of the five colors in the Tibetan prayer flags represents a fundamental element that is believed to keep the world in balance:
- Blue: The vastness of the sky
- White: The breath and movement of the air
- Red: The transformative power of fire
- Green: The fluid and cleansing nature of water
- Yellow: The grounding strength of the earth
Together, these colors symbolize the harmony between all life forms. When these flags fly at the Everest Base Camp, they are believed to create an environment of balance and protection. Climbers deeply rely on this spiritual aspect before heading into the dangers of high-altitude climbing.
The Ritual of Placing Flags (Puja Ceremony)
Before any climbers begin their ascent on the mountain, there is a moment when everything becomes still. This is the Puja Ceremony, a spiritual ritual that blesses the expedition team, honors the mountain and gives the prayer flags their place and purpose at the foothills of the mountain. The puja is led by a Lama, a Buddhist monk, from a nearby village or monastery. Early in the morning, climbers and Sherpa team members gather around a stone altar, a chorten.
This altar is built with rocks from the glacier and decorated with fresh prayer flags stretching outward. The ceremony begins with the Lama chanting ancient mantras and climbers offer barley flour, rice, biscuits and sometimes even beer or chang (local alcohol). These items are provided by the climber, not as a gift but as a symbol of gratitude to the mountain spirits, especially Miyolangsangma, the goddess who is believed to protect Mount Everest.
During the ritual, the Lama burns the juniper branches, releasing the fragrant smoke, which then purifies the space. The air becomes dense with a mix of hope, respect for the mountain and the awareness of the risks ahead. Everyone in the expedition team touches the climbing gear like crampons, ropes and ice axes placed near the altar, asking for safety in the journey upward. In this moment, the prayer flags are formally hung.
The Lama then blesses the flags before they are raised. When the ritual flag catches the wind for the first time, it is believed that the journey truly begins. The prayers that are printed on the flags for strength, protection, clarity and compassion are carried by air to the higher mountain. The prayer also asks for a safe passage across one of the most dangerous landscapes on Earth. For Sherpas, this ritual Puja is non-negotiable; no climbing on the mountain begins until it is done.
Likewise, for the climbers, this ritual becomes one of the most grounding experiences of the expedition. It softens egos, calms the nerves of the climbers and creates a shared sense of purpose. In that tradition and ritual of flags, smoke, chants and mountain silence, everyone remembers that Mount Everest is not just simply a peak, she is also a force that needs to be respected.
Are the Flags Removed or Cleaned Up?
Moving beyond the question what are the flags at Everest Base Camp, let’s explore how these flags are removed or cleaned up. The prayer flags at the Everest Base Camp are traditionally left to fade naturally. In the Tibetan Buddhism culture, the flags that frays is not considered a waste. In fact, it is considered a part of the process and a fulfilled role. This fraying and discoloring is taken as a sign that the prayer has been released and carried away by the wind.
Removing such flags too soon is considered an interruption of the natural cycle. However, Everest Base Camp is also a modern and heavily visited destination, so keeping the environment clean is a responsibility. During the climbing seasons, the expedition teams and support crew routinely clean up the torn plastics, old expedition banners and non-degradable material to prevent pollution on the glacier. This clean-up process includes:
- Clearing the old expedition flags and sponsor banners at the end of the climbing season
- Removing the plastic-coated flags or synthetic materials left by trekkers and climbers
- Taking down the memorial banners that have deteriorated
Prayer flags that are made from cotton or traditional fabrics are usually left alone until they naturally fade. These flags are culturally sacred and biodegradable. At a certain point after the flags are completely worn out, they are removed with respect. When the base camp gets overcrowded with excessive flags, especially from the tourists who place large numbers without understanding traditions, the responsibility falls to guides and locals. They remove or reorganize the flags to maintain respect and order.
Furthermore, the Nepali government and the climbing organizations have become stricter in recent years and every climber needs to follow the ‘leave no trace’ principle. This means taking down the man-made camp structures, corporate banners and any non-traditional flags before leaving the Everest Base Camp. So, while the prayer flags live through their spiritual cycle, Mount Everest still undergoes regular cleanup to protect the environment.
Cultural Etiquette and Respect as a Traveler
The prayer flags at Everest Base Camp are not just scenery; they are the sacred symbols of faith, traditions and the human connection with the mountain. So, approaching these flags without awareness can unintentionally be disrespectful. That’s why understanding cultural etiquette is essential for every trekker and climber. Here is what you have to keep in mind about the prayer flags during your visit to Everest Base Camp:
- Never Touch or Step Over Prayer Flags: These flags carry prayers and blessings and stepping on them or letting them fall to the ground is considered deeply disrespectful. So, when you are moving around the base camp area, always make sure to walk around them and treat them as you would treat a sacred altar.
- Handle With Care if Adding a Flag: If you are planning to hang a flag, only do it with permission and under the guidance of the local Sherpas or monks. There are special rituals and processes for hanging the flags. So, randomly placing a flag without knowledge of tradition can be seen as careless and even offensive.
- Respect the Puja Areas: Many prayer flags are connected with the Puja ceremonies. You should not disturb the altars, stones, or the ritual offerings which are part of the ritual to set up the flags. If you happen to encounter the Puja ceremony, respect the area, stand back and observe quietly to absorb the moment.
- Photography With Awareness: It is absolutely fine to take a picture of the flags at the base camp. But, avoid posing in a way that disrupts the rituals or is disrespectful. You should be careful about not taking them as props; these flags are the living cultural expressions.
- Understand the Meaning: Take a moment to admire the colors that depict different aspects of nature, symbols and mantras that these flags represent. This appreciation adds depth to your experience and shows respect for the local culture and traditions.
- Be Mindful of Environmental Impact: You should avoid leaving plastic or synthetic flags behind. Traditional cotton of biodegradable flags is preferred if you want to participate in the flag-hanging ritual. The Himalayas are fragile and respecting the environment is a key part of cultural respect.