Colorful prayer flags can be found everywhere in Hongyuan County in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. Prayer flags are important to Tibetan Buddhists. They are squares of colorful cotton fabric inscribed with mantras, prayers and symbols that represent Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. The tradition of hanging prayer flags dates back thousands of years. When the flags are hung outside, wind passes through them and carries the prayers throughout the world.(CNS Photo)