At one time Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion, emptied all of the hell realms. But as he looked again the hell realms were immediately refilled. As he shed tears for these beings one tear transformed into the saviouress Green Tara who manifested her twenty other forms. The Tibetan script on this traditional flag praises Tara in all her manifestations. The verses conclude with her root mantra "OM TARE TU TARE TURE SOHA," the magical syllables that evoke the goddess.
