Hadak

Dalai Lama gives the Hadak to Richard Guira , October 17, 2007

Blue Khadaki tied to a stone stele in the monastery of Manzushir in Mongolia

Hadaki at the ruins of the temple of Ustuu-Khuree

Hadaki of different colors on the Buguzun Pass between Altai and Tuva

Buguzalt.jpg Hadak (also Hut ; Tibet .: བཏགས་; Mong. Khadag ; Bur. Hadag ; Kit .: Hada (哈达); tuv. Kadak) is a ritual long scarf , one of the Buddhist symbols.

Khadak is a long narrow scarf, presented in Mongolia and Tibet as a sign of respect, friendship and good wishes. Hadak are silk and paper, yellow, black, white or, most often, blue. Their length is from 1.5 arshin to three flywheel sazhen. In the middle there is a woven image of various Buddhist deities, especially Ayushi, as the patron of long life. Hadak are also short, not more than one arshin, with woven flowers.

Hadak is a universal gift. It can be presented on any occasion, such as a wedding , funeral , childbirth, university graduation, arrival or departure of guests and so on. In Tibet, the khadak is presented as a congratulation on the occasion of the holiday , for wishing good luck, upon meeting and seeing off, as a reward, in the form of an offering to the lamas and saints during prayers, on the occasion of the completion of the house. Khadak presented to people whose help they want to enlist. Tibetans usually wish good luck (tashi delek) when they give the Hadak ^[1] .

Hadak is brought in an expanded form on the palms of both hands, lightly holding the top with your thumbs. Hadak develops in the middle, forming 2 layers. The open side of the Khadak must necessarily be addressed to the person to whom he is being presented - this means that all good wishes are sent to a respected person. Hadak is also taken with respect with both hands. The recipient must bow by touching the hadak’s forehead, then he may throw a hadek around his neck (it’s not customary to tie him around his neck) or fold and put it in his inner pocket (in old times he was cleaned in degel’s bosom). You can not throw away the trash with garbage, it is tantamount to desecration of the vital energy of man. Therefore, the Khadaki are kept at home on the altar or in other places higher, so as not to accidentally drop or trample. It is allowed to transfer the khadak to another person or hang it in holy places, tie it to a tree near the obo or the burkhan.

In Tibet, khadak is made from unpainted fabric - cotton or silk . In Buryatia, khadak can be white , blue , yellow or green . Especially popular is the blue color , symbolizing the sky or longevity.

White khadak is a symbol of primordial purity, pure thoughts. The white color of the Buryat has a special sacredness. This is the color of holiness, well-being. The blue khadak denotes the eternal blue sky of the Mongols and the Buryats, it is brought to the Buddha and the deities. symbol of harmony, harmony and tranquility. He is the embodiment of kindness, loyalty, infinity, location. This color is also a masculine symbol. Yellow khadak is a symbol of fertility, multiplication and wealth, constancy and immutability, warmth, and life (yellow is the color of faith, prosperity of the Buddha’s Teaching). Red Khadak is a symbol of safety and security, and also attracts all good qualities. Red is the color of power and greatness. Healing properties and the ability to resist the evil eye and witchcraft are attributed to this color. Symbol of the hearth. Green Khadak is a symbol of the blooming land, good activity, fertility, awakening and the removal of any obstacles. Green color Buryats designated mother earth. Symbol of growth and prosperity.

It is known that the Dalai Lama presents the Khadaki as gifts to diplomats, guests or other monks, symbolizing purity of intentions and the beginning of a relationship ^[2] .

Khadak is used as a heraldic symbol in the coats of arms of Mongolia , Buryatia , Kalmykia , Tuva , and was also used on the coat of arms of the Aginsky Buryat Autonomous Okrug .