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![Tibetan Prayer Wheel [Om Mani Padme Hum] - May all humans be blessed and free from all sufferings](images/prayerwheels.gif) |
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What Do You Know About Tibetan dZi Beads ?More about Tibetan dZi beads How to identify dZi bead ?Identification of dZi beads presents certain difficulties. Many Tibetans will regard almost any etched agate and some natural agate beads as some kind of dZi, or at least in the 'dZi' family. But not all etched agate beads are regarded as real or as Tibetans would say, 'pure' dZi. Certain patterns found on etched agate beads are universally recognised by Tibetans as belonging to 'pure' dZi. These include besides the familiar 'eye' patterns (2-eyed, 3-eyed, 5-eyed, 6-eyed, 9-eyed, etc) a circle and a square (dZi, earth door-sky door), a double wave form (dZi, round with tiger stripes), a configuration similar to a British crown (dZi round, nectar of immortality bowl) and othes dZi with other patterns such as stripes, wave forms, and their combinations are generally regarded as real dZi and of Tibetan origin but are valued much less highly than the more desirable oatterns listed above. The 9-eyed dZi seems to be the most highly preferred.There is another set of criteria for evaluating dZi which became apparent in the course of interviewing informants. In addition to a desirable pattern, a dZi should also have a 'healthy' shape. Beads which are too thin ('anemic looking') or are not round in cross section are less desirable. A shiny surface and deep colors increase the value of the dZi. Most prefer as close to a true black and white as possible, although some prefer a deep rich brown. Opacity is a consideration; one should not detect translucence when the bead is held up to the sun. A 'pure' dZi should not have internal flaws in the patterning caused by differences in the underlying agate which results in uneven whittening. Finally, the bead may not be badly chipped or broken. Stories behind the dZi beadsTibetan dZi beads are felt by Tibetans to be of supernatural origins. It is inconceivable to most Tibetans that a dZi is a man-made artifact. Most Tibetans queried told the same set of stories concerning the origin of dZi. Offered first was the belief that in ancient times dZi were the ornaments or semi-gods who threw them away whenever they became blemished even slightly; this is said to be the reason that hardly any of the beads are found in perfect condition. Next came the story that dZi were 'insects' that used to move about like worms but had been petrified. One story involves a man who saw one of these 'insects' high in the mountains and threw his hat over to capture it. When he removed the hat, the insect had become petrified. In its place lay a dZi. Other stories relate that dZi were encountered in the high mountains by someone with especially good karma who managed to catch them. But in coming into contact with the human touch, the dZi petrified. Other tales are told of dZi being found in slaughtered animals' horns or in cattle dung. Dr. R. Nebesky-Woikowitz - 1952) recounts in 'Prehistoric Bead From Tibet,' a legend from Ngari Western Tibet. It is believed that dZi originated from a mountain near slopes like streams. One day, however a wicked woman 'cast the evil eye' on the mountain and the flow immediately stopped. And to this day, so the legend claims, the characteristic black and white stripes of the dZi are still seen where the dZi seems to be very widespread and is cited to explain various peculiarities. This, the Tibetan claim, is why sometimes a great number of dZi are found forming a kind of nest (Tibetan dZi). Some believe that even after the beads have been unearthed, some will continue to move about for a little while. In any case to the Tibetan, the dZi is not a man-made bead but a precious jewel of supernatural origin.Because it is magic, the dZi has the power to protect its wearer from catastrophe. Just as jade is worn to forestall accidents and turquoise is worn to purify the blood and protect from jaundice, so is the dZi worn to ward off attacks by evil spirits which might cause sudden sickness and death. Not only are dZi worn in the traditional Central Tibet, woman's necklace with red coral, pearls and a gold charm box studded with turquoise but also about the neck on a short cord by both men and women and usually faced on either side by a red coral. Women will generally have a few more coral and turquoise beads in this strand as well but the minimal pre-requisite is the dZi to serve as protection to its wearer. If the bead should somehow become broken while it is being worn, this is taken as evidence that the bead has done its job and absorbed the shock of the supernatural attack intended for its wearer. This renders the dZi useless for any further amuletic protection. This is why any broken dZi is no longer 'pure'. DZi beads are also used by Tibetan doctors as an ingredient in some of the pills they make to treat epilepsy. AN unbroken dZi is purposefully broken and part of it is ground up along with various herbs to make the pills. Many stories circulate among the Tibetans concerning persons who have sold a valuable dZi only to fall ill or die sometime thereafter. This causes Tibetans to be very unwilling to sell dZi of high quality even for the high sums which one hears quoted in the market for the various types. Note: The material provided as it is by contributors and we do not guaranteed the accuracy of such content. This is only meant to be used as reference and the owner of this site is not liable for the content shown in this website. If you have other information to add, please feel free to email us to include your material so that others may benefit from it. Thank you. Regards,  |
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