Khampa Tibetan Costume at Litang, originally uploaded by kayforest.

Tibetan Calligraphy Copyright© 2010 Tashi Mannox

Above we can see a wonderful calligraphy by the very talented Tashi Mannox. You can also view his blog here. This piece was used in my recent dZi bead article for Sacred Hoop Magazine. In this piece we can see the word dZi (shown in the Horyig seal script in red). This word is also cleverly incorporated into the design of the black and white dZi bead. The white text at the base of the piece translates as 'Blaze with Majestic Brilliance'.

We all know that Tibetans highly value dZi beads as amulets. They are seen as a safe guard against illness and misfortune and they are even believed to protect the wearer from harmful spirits. In Tibetan society, heirloom beads are often worn during festivals and special occasions. This is seen as an opportunity to showcase prized beads that may have been in a family for many generations. The Tibetan word for confidence is ziji, which is made up of zi meaning shine and ji meaning splendour, radiance or dignity. I personally feel that when we connect the word ziji to dZi beads, it reflects the underlying attitude and intent of the Tibetans who wear them. As the Tibetan Buddhist master, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche says: “A person with ziji has dignity, the radiant power of a mind that has relaxed into its own inherent strength”.

Ancient Banded Agate and Chalcedony beads. The large focal bead measures 30 mm x 22 mm.

 

A large Ancient Tasso dZi or an ancient dZi with a zig zag stripe.. This bead displays a rarely seen decorated 'white' stripe on an opaque darkened agate base. The greyish colour of the lines probably indicates fire damage. Sourced in Nepal. approx 29 mm x 12 mm

Ancient Chung dZi. Sourced in Nepal. 31 mm x 11 mm

A very beautiful antique turquoise bead. Sourced in Nepal. 40 mm x 34 mm

                                                                   

A rare ancient green jasper bead from Nepal. 30 mm x 26 mm        

Above: Pagor Headress

Old turquoise and silver pendant beads or hair ornaments. This type of pendant is probably meant to represent the Indian chank shell or conch. The conch is one of the eight auspicious symbols in Buddhism. It is worn in Southern Tibet in a headress called a Pagor.  Largest pendant measures 68 mm x 40 mm.

These are banded agate beads that closely resemble the ancient Bhaisajyaguru dZi or Suleimani Beads but are a fraction of the price. They are often mistaken for ancient beads because the quality is so good. Despite being newer creations they are not so common. In the past 10 years I have only seen a handful of strands in this quality. They possibly originate from China but were sourced in Nepal.

Antique or Ancient Jasper disc beads? There is mixed opinion about the age of these beads. I have heard anything from 500 years to 2000 years old. They are likely to date somewhere between 500 CE to 1000 CE + or -. I have yet to discover these great looking beads outside of Nepal, although I have heard rumours of them being found in North India. If you know more about them please email me. largest diameter 21 mm

 

 Ancient Luk Mik dZi. 26.64 mm

 A new bow shaped Sardonyx bead from China. approx 44 mm x 16 mm

A new round agate eye bead from China. diameter approx 23 mm

Natural chalcedony from the Gobi Desert.

Ancient bow shaped agate bead. 30.10 mm x 16.17 mm

Ancient Phum dZi

An ancient Phum dZi with a zone of crystalline quartz. The process of treating agate to alter or enhance the colour leaves the crystalline areas unaffected. 28.75 mm x 12 mm

Ancient Chong dZi with natural red coral.

Ancient Chong dZi bead approx 48 mm x 13 mm

These are more recently created carnelian beads from India and are likely to be less than 20 years old. Similar beads are typically passed off as antique Pema Raka. To the untraind eye it can often be hard to tell them apart.  Smallest bead measures 35 x 22 mm

Phurba or Kila Thogchag 77.45 mm x 8.97 mm

A strand of ancient (some may be antique) carnelians. Sourced in Nepal.

Ancient carnelian beads. Sourced in Nepal.

A collection of antique Thokcha or Thogchags. The largest piece represents Vajrapani or Chagna Dorje in his wrathful form. Vajrapani was the main recipient of the tantras from Shakyamuni Buddha. measures approx 88 mm x 60 mm.

These are natural lotus seeds. They are possibly given this name because they resemble the buds of a lotus flower, however, they do not come from the Nelumbo nucifera or Lotus plant. The white lotus is an important Buddhist symbol and represents perfect purity. Lotus seed is the name given to these beads in Nepal and India, they are typically seen as round beads and are very popular for Buddhist malas. The first time I encountered lotus seeds in this natural shape was in August 2009. each seed measures 18.40 mm x 15 mm

If you know the actual name of these seeds and where they originate from please email me.

 

These amulet beads are called Za Trung and are made according to the instructions of Longchen Rabjampa (1308 – 1364). They protect the wearer against unfavourable planetary alignments. Each bead displays three eyes, made more prominent by what appears to be red ochre or sindhura powder (unconfirmed). They appear to be made from a resinous mix and then rolled on a plastic core. The core may even include a roll of mantras (also unconfirmed). It is clear that their shape and eye design resemble dZi beads. They are made by monks at Chorten Gompa Monastery in Sikkim and are blessed by the great Nyingma master, Dodrupchen Rinpoche.approx 24 mm x 11 mm

Antique Pema Raka bead (centre).

Antique or ancient Pema Raka beads. largest approx 22 mm x 15 mm  more photos here

These beads are imitation banded agate beads made from glass. Many folks believe they are ancient but they are more likely to be antique beads. Lois Dubin placed a very similar bead ("Stratified Mosaic Glass" no.606) on her original 'History of Beads' timeline and dated it to 250 BCE to 450 CE. Her newly revised timeline (2009) has now replaced this image with a different photo. Please email me if you know more about these beads. (top photo 44.96 mm x 11.71 mm)

Ancient stone and glass beads that were sourced in Nepal over a 10 year period. The stone beads include; amethyst, quartz, tourmaline, aquamarine, citrine and topaz. There are a few imitation tourmaline beads made from glass. It is possible that some of these beads were traded to Nepal from Burma and therefore they are actually Pyu/Tircul stone beads.

Bhutia woman (Sikkim) c1920s.