In Tibet, "Dzi beads" are revered as the jewels of the gods, often found in fields, grasslands, mountains, lakes, and rivers. Some are even discovered in the excrement of cattle and sheep, as these animals may have ingested Dzi beads while grazing on grass stems. During the modern era, many followers of Tibetan Buddhism have embarked on pilgrimages to the sacred Mount Kailash and the holy Lake Manasarovar. Those who are fortunate enough may encounter Dzi bead deposits, ranging from a few to hundreds of beads, becoming the possessors, spreaders, and traders of these beads.
Composition of Dzi Beads
Modern scientific analysis has confirmed that Dzi beads contain 14 elements from Mars, which do not exist on Earth. Therefore, the scientific community believes that the substance of Dzi beads originates from Mars, particularly due to an element called "erbium," which generates a magnetic field of 14 volts. In comparison, the magnetic field of crystal, which takes millions of years to form on Earth, is only one-third that of Dzi beads. The magnetic energy of Dzi beads is very gentle and suitable for all types of constitutions. It has special regulatory effects on blood circulation and various chronic diseases without any negative side effects.
The Enigmatic Patterns of Dzi Beads
The circular patterns on Dzi beads have been a mystery for thousands of years, referred to as "eyes," while beads with multiple circles are called "multi-eyed Dzi beads." These circles are surrounded by geometric patterns such as straight lines, triangles, or squares. Since there is no evidence of manufacturing and no historical records of their creation, the meaning of these patterns has remained unclear for centuries.
Cultural Significance and Uses
Tibetan people cherish Dzi beads and wear them throughout their lives. Funeral masters have observed patterns in the health conditions of deceased individuals who wore Dzi beads, and together with meditating monks, they have deciphered the patterns of Dzi beads (content not suitable for publication). Meditating monks have found that Dzi beads can unblock the seven meridians and three collaterals of the human body, while funeral masters have noticed that the meridian corresponding to the pattern of the Dzi bead worn by the deceased is very unobstructed, and no organs on that meridian have any diseases. The patterns of Dzi beads can absorb energy from the universe and act on the corresponding organs of the human body.
Dzi beads serve three main functions: they are used for offering to deities and Buddhas, for meditation to enhance one's spiritual practice, and for wearing as a talisman for protection and warding off evil.
Symbol of Tibetan Culture
Before humans came into contact with Dzi beads, it was hard to imagine such a substance existing on Earth. As people venture into the Tibetan Plateau to unveil its mysteries, they inevitably encounter Dzi beads. Dzi beads are a symbol of Tibetan regional culture and are valued worldwide. Through research and introduction, Dzi beads have become highly regarded as protective amulets globally.
Origin and Characteristics
Dzi beads are made of agate and contain jade and agate components, considered one of the seven treasures of Tibetan Buddhism, historically known as "nine-eyed stone Dzi beads." They are mainly found in the Himalayan regions of Tibet, eastern Tibet, Bhutan, Sikkim, and Ladakh, and are a rare gemstone. The internal structure of Dzi beads possesses a strong natural cosmic magnetic field energy, with the "erbium" element having a particularly strong magnetic field. Currently, only Tibetan Dzi beads have this special element's magnetic field, which is believed to provide benefits such as protection against evil, blood disorders, prevention of stroke, and enhancement of inner energy. Dzi beads are a type of sedimentary rock, with particles about 1/256 millimeters in size, primarily formed by the consolidation of clay into thin, flaky rocks. The colors of Dzi beads can be black, white, red, coffee, and green, varying due to the chemical substances they contain. For example, those containing iron oxide appear red, while those with iron hydroxide appear slightly yellow, and those with carbon content appear gray-black.
Magnetic Field and Hardness
The magnetic field of Dzi beads is three times that of crystal, with crystal having a magnetic field of 4 volts and Dzi beads having 13 volts. The harder the mineral, the stronger the magnetic field. Dzi beads, being semi-precious stones, have a hardness of 7 to 8.5 on the Mohs scale. Except for South African diamonds, which have a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, no other mineral on Earth has a stronger magnetic field than Dzi beads. This is also the reason why only Tibetan agate is called Dzi beads, while agate from Brazil, Persia, the Soviet Union, Indonesia, and Taiwan cannot be called Dzi beads. However, all minerals have magnetic fields, just with varying strengths. Because the magnetic field effect of Tibetan agate is the strongest, many agate beads sold on the market, regardless of whether they are from the original Tibetan region, are all claimed to be Tibetan Dzi beads.
Historical and Cultural Context
The origin of Dzi beads can be traced back to between 3000 and 1500 BC. The ancient Aryan people in the Indian subcontinent left behind the ancient texts "Vedas," which recorded ancient yoga principles, spells, deities, and totem symbols. These were integrated with Buddhist thought and explained in a simple, colloquial, and easy-to-understand manner to facilitate the study and exploration of a wide range of scholars. Due to the influence of the geographical environment and frequent natural disasters, the desire for divine assistance naturally arose, leading to the creation of Dzi beads. They also incorporated various medicinal substances for healing and were inscribed with patterns and symbols of witchcraft spells on the stones (Dzi beads) to enhance spiritual (soul) awareness. This was an ancient form of "talisman."
Over 3000 years ago, the Tibetan ancestors on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were experiencing an unprecedented plague. The plague swept across the plateau, and the people were tormented by illness. Manjushri, the predecessor of Manjushri Bodhisattva, happened to pass over the Himalayas and, seeing the suffering of the world, felt great compassion. He then scattered "celestial flowers" over the human realm. The celestial flowers fell into every corner of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the people picked them up and carried them with them. Miraculously, those who picked up the celestial flowers gradually recovered from their illnesses. In the end, with the help of these divine stones, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau regained its vitality. The celestial flowers are what we now call Dzi beads. This is one of the many legends surrounding the mysterious Tibetan Dzi beads.
Legends More Vivid Than Dzi Beads Themselves
In the historical context of Tibetan culture, Dzi beads have appeared in various forms, objectively reflecting their significant place in Tibetan culture. In the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, especially in the Himalayan mountain range, everything has a unique charm. A type of item called "Dzi beads," with its jade-like texture and mysterious patterns full of metaphorical meanings, has become one of the symbolic items of the mysterious Tibetan culture.
Regarding Dzi beads, every Tibetan may tell different stories. Each legend is more vivid than the Dzi beads themselves. The various versions of Dzi bead legends that are now circulating cover all aspects, including religion, history, astronomy, geography, and medicine. People can find the shadow of Dzi beads in these fields.
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Religion: In terms of religion, in addition to the legend of Manjushri Bodhisattva and Dzi beads mentioned at the beginning of this article, the origin of Dzi beads is also related to the native Tibetan religion, Bon. During certain rituals, Bon priests would wear robes made of human skullcaps and practice in cemeteries. When the priests' practice reached a certain level, mysterious patterned beads would fall from their bodies, which were the Dzi beads. The Bon priests used them as magical instruments to exorcise demons. When Buddhism was introduced to Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism gradually replaced Bon as the main faith of the Tibetan people, many materials related to Bon were gradually lost. It is now difficult to verify the connection between Dzi beads and Bon, and the history of the loss of materials has added a mysterious color to Dzi beads.
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History: In the thick mythology of the Tibetan nation, Dzi beads are also embedded in the story of the "son of the gods" - the Tibetan leader King Gesar. It is said that King Gesar of Ling sent troops to attack the Azha Agate Kingdom. King Azha agreed to unconditionally surrender to Ling and opened the agate treasure house to offer various treasures and the most precious Dzi beads of various shapes. King Gesar first offered the Dzi beads to the Three Jewels and the protectors, then distributed them to the soldiers and the people, and buried the remaining Dzi beads in various places as the foundation for the future wealth of Tibet.
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Geography: In the geological history period, 2 billion years ago, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was still an ocean, known as the "ancient Mediterranean." The Himalayas began to rise during the early Cenozoic Eocene, about 30 million years ago, and formed the vast area of the Himalayas that are still developing today. Therefore, there is a legend that Dzi beads were originally marine organisms, like shellfish and sea snails, with
shells and bodies that could move freely. The Himalayan mountain-building movement raised the land, and these organisms died due to lack of water, leaving their shells to become Dzi beads.
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Astronomy: Because of the strange patterns of Dzi beads and the special height of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, coupled with the Tibetan people's legend of "celestial stones," some people attribute Dzi beads to cosmic matter, believing that their original materials are extraterrestrial meteorites, which were processed by practitioners.
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Medicine: Tibetans believe that the area below the throat and above the chest is the weakest part of the human body and the most susceptible to demonic invasions. Wearing Dzi beads there can ward off evil. In the early days when medical science was not advanced, there were methods of using minerals as medicine, and the strange patterns of Dzi beads made people believe that they were a kind of good medicine for treating diseases. Nowadays, people's basis for the health care of Dzi beads is that they emit a strong magnetic field (it is said that the magnetic field strength of Dzi beads is three times that of crystal), which can have beneficial effects on the human body and help regulate bodily functions. From a scientific point of view, this is based on the radioactive nature of natural substances.
In addition, Dzi beads are the spirits flying over the Tibetan prairie, the tassels that the Bodhisattva untied to save all living beings, the weapons of the Asuras, the crystals of the Garuda, and the flawed treasures abandoned by the gods. There are many colorful and difficult-to-verify legends and stories, which are dazzling and even dizzying. In summary, in the historical context of the development of Tibetan culture, Dzi beads have appeared in various forms, objectively reflecting their significant place in Tibetan culture.
Sacred Articles in the Incense-Filled Air
Dzi beads are not ritual instruments but precious ornaments. However, after being influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, they gain higher value. This value is actually based on Tibetan culture.
Tibetan Buddhism - this is the most attractive mysterious force in Tibetan culture. In the eyes of outsiders, everything mysterious in Tibet is closely related to religion. In today's commodity economy, everything about Tibet seems to be worth more if it is branded with religion. So, is there a relationship between Dzi beads and Tibetan Buddhism?
"Dzi beads do not have the function of ritual instruments in Tibetan Buddhism," Professor Sonam Tsering, an expert on Tibetan Buddhism at the Tibet Nationalities Institute, said firmly. "In the areas where Tibetan Buddhism is prevalent, there are indeed many high monks who own Dzi beads. They wear Dzi beads as a mascot and also offer them to the Buddhas they believe in. Ordinary Tibetans like to use Dzi beads as beautiful gemstones for decoration and also offer them to gods and Buddhas. Dzi beads are a precious mascot, not a ritual instrument."
Professor Sonam Tsering said that there is a ritual for the reincarnation of living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism. Before the reincarnated child holds the official enthronement ceremony, there is a preparation ceremony called "dust removal," which is to remove the secular breath from the child and make him a real living Buddha. This ceremony is that the enlightened monks use Dzi beads to "wrap the body" for the child before the enthronement ceremony. The so-called "wrapping the body" is to roll the Dzi beads on the child's head, torso, and limbs back and forth nine times to remove the secular breath. But this ceremony is rarely used now.
Strictly speaking, Dzi beads are not ritual instruments. In Tibet, they are precious decorative items and enhance their value through religion. Tibetans like to string Dzi beads together with turquoise, coral beads, amber, and gold and silver and other precious metals to make necklaces, bracelets, various headwear, etc. At the same time, when building temples, they also like to use Dzi beads to decorate buildings and offer Buddhas. For example, the clothing on the 12-year-old Sakyamuni statue in the Jokhang Temple is inlaid with hundreds of Dzi beads. Among them, the center of the Buddha's crown is inlaid with the highest-quality nine-eyed Dzi bead. On the ground of the Tashilhunpo Monastery, where the Panchen Lama resides, there are also Dzi beads inlaid.
Professor Sonam Tsering also pointed out that when Tibetan Buddhism's esoteric sect holds a grand fire offering Dharma assembly ritual, the high monks will set up mandalas for different purposes, such as disaster relief, prayer, and opening wisdom. At this time, the common people will ask the high monks to put their Dzi beads into the mandala to receive the high monks' blessings. Different types of Dzi beads can be placed in different mandalas. For example, in the fire offering practice of the disaster relief Dharma, only treasure bottle Dzi beads, one-eyed Dzi beads, four-eyed Dzi beads, and other Dzi beads with the implication of disaster relief can be placed inside for the fire offering.
Dzi beads that have undergone the fire offering Dharma assembly will have brighter colors and clearer patterns. More importantly, there are very few Dzi beads that can be used for the fire offering. People believe that with the blessings of the high monks, these Dzi beads have stronger spirituality and can bring more health and fortune. The so-called "old Dzi beads" are mostly Dzi beads that have been offered in temples for many years, have been worn and blessed by high monks, and have been influenced by incense for a long time. In short, Dzi beads gain higher value after being influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. This value is actually based on Tibetan culture.
The Majority of Dzi Beads are Artificially Synthesized
The majority of Dzi beads are artificially synthesized, just like cloisonné and porcelain, which are crafts, and their raw materials are mostly agate.
In Tibet and around the world, there are so many dazzling legends about Dzi beads. So, what exactly are Dzi beads?
Let's temporarily remove the religious mystery of Dzi beads. The famous Tibetan art collector Mr. Ye Xingsheng provided us with a document from the China Collectors Association about the collection of Dzi beads. This document clearly tells us that Dzi beads are a kind of etched agate. Except for a small number of line beads and Dzi beads with strange patterns, the rest are etched on natural agate with strong alkali, nitric acid, etc. That is to say, the majority of Dzi beads are artificially synthesized, just like cloisonné and porcelain, which are crafts, and their raw materials are mostly agate.
So, do the Dzi beads on the market really have such high value?
The value of Dzi beads comes from three aspects: the material of the Dzi beads themselves, the production process, and the experiences of the Dzi beads.
The material of Dzi beads: one category is the very rare natural Dzi beads, whose components are mainly nine-eyed shale stones, and there are also red chalcedony. Natural Dzi beads are mainly some natural patterns formed by minerals in nature, which seem to have unique meanings, so they are collected by Tibetan ancestors as gems given by the gods. There is also a more common type of artificially processed Dzi beads, whose materials are mainly red, black, white, and agate, and now some people use synthetic resin, glass, plastic, etc., to process and impersonate.
The production process of Dzi beads: from archaeological discoveries, the culture of etched agate actually originated in the Mesopotamian plain and ancient India. The ancient Xiong Kingdom in the Tibet region first introduced the etching process from India and Iran. At that time, the ancient Xiong Dynasty was dominated by Bon, so the Xiong people etched Bon totem symbols on agate and other minerals, forming the earliest Dzi beads.
The production process of Dzi beads is generally made by monks using nine-eyed shale stones, chalcedony, agate raw materials, etc., after grinding, initially forming the patterns of Dzi beads (some are not obvious, some are incomplete, or some have no patterns), and then painted with special pigments, and formed after soaking in Tibetan medicine. Some old Dzi beads have lost their special processes and formulas due to their long age, making them even more precious. Excellently crafted Dzi beads have clear and beautiful patterns, and the corrosive pigments penetrate into the material, even soaking the entire bead body, but do not destroy the appearance of the bead pattern. Precious old Dzi beads have pigments that penetrate and deepen along the natural texture of the original stone. In contrast, poorly made Dzi beads have shallow patterns and can even peel off easily.
The experiences of Dzi beads: especially old Dzi beads, are highly valued by Tibetans and are inseparable from their connection with religion. Just like an item, if it was once used by the royal family of a dynasty, it naturally has a higher value and can even be called antiques or cultural relics, and such items are often exquisitely crafted and of extraordinary quality. An old Dzi bead may have been around for a long time, blessed by high monks, offered in prestigious temples, or passed down through generations. After an old Dzi bead has its own legend, it has life in people's hearts, is full of spirituality, and is a treasure blessed by the gods, and its value is naturally extraordinary.
There is a saying in the Tibetan area about the "seven treasures of Tibetan Buddhism": Dzi beads, Thangka, clam, amber, turquoise, coral, and Ga'u, among which Dzi beads are listed as the first of the seven treasures. Now
, in the areas where Tibetan Buddhism is prevalent, the price of a Dzi bead ranges from tens of yuan to millions. In the Jiuzhaigou Tibetan Qiang Craft Museum, the staff showed reporters a huge six-eyed Dzi bead made of red chalcedony. It is said that this Dzi bead was offered incense for three years in the Potala Palace and was later donated to the museum by a mysterious person from Tibet who did not want to disclose their name. The museum regards it as a treasure of the museum and is not for sale. This Dzi bead is very rare in shape and size, but it is not perfect, and one end is damaged. The staff said that it may have been used for medicine in the early days. Talking about the value of this Dzi bead, the staff said that it is estimated to be worth half of the Jia Fan Tibetan Village.
Apart from the big environment of Tibetan culture, people may not understand the significance of Dzi beads. In Tibet, people say "please raise" Dzi beads, hoping that Dzi beads will bring them blessings. In Tibet, the real pure old Dzi beads can be used as fixed assets as collateral to the bank for loans - this is the collective value assessment that the Tibetan people give to Dzi beads in their own unique culture.
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Old Dzi Beads and New Dzi Beads
Old Dzi Beads: One type is the very rare naturally formed linear or special patterned nine-eyed shale stones or chalcedony, agate. Another type is also etched according to ancient methods, with the corrosive totem deeply penetrating the interior of the chalcedony, and the pattern continues when smashed. Old Dzi beads generally have surface rust, cinnabar spots, turtle裂纹, and other characteristic manifestations. Old Dzi beads have generally been blessed by high monks, offered in temples, or passed down through generations.
New Dzi Beads: The texture is high-quality agate or chalcedony, and the totem patterns on the bead surface are hand-drawn, imitating the ancient method of soaking the original stone lines with pigments made from Tibetan medicinal materials. Some new Dzi beads also use modern technological methods, such as chemical reagents and lasers, to deepen and fade the original stone.
The Most Common Symbols of Dzi Beads and Their Meanings:
"○" Circle, the universal phenomenon of the cycle, is the source of universal power. Open as white, symbolizing the infinite light emitted by the sun, moon, and stars.
"△" Triangle, the human body's own blood circulation system, is the foundation of creating human energy. Man is red (all animals on land have a blood system that refers to red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, etc., triangular relationship), symbolizing the subtle vitality displayed by essence, spirit, and spirit.
"□" Square, the power produced by all substances in nature (magnetic field), has a condensing and enhancing effect. The ground is yellow, symbolizing the business opportunities formed by water, fire, and wind.
Common Types of Dzi Beads:
Dzi beads are based on patterns and have different types such as line beads, eye beads, treasure bottle, half-moon, landscape, tiger tooth, dragon pattern, etc.
Heaven and Earth Beads: One side is a circular pattern, and the other side is a square pattern, implying the concept of "round heaven and square earth" in the universe.
Nine-Eyed Dzi Beads: They are regarded as the most precious type of Dzi beads. They imply the nine major planets in nature, containing the operation of the universe and human thinking. Because "nine" is a symbol of perfection in Tibetan culture, nine-eyed Dzi beads can protect the wearer's merit, career, and benefit achievements.
One-Eyed Dzi Beads and Mountain-Type Dzi Beads: One-eyed Dzi beads make people's thoughts clear, mood pleasant, and wisdom increased.
Ruyi Beads: Implying a beautiful wish.
Tortoise Pattern Dzi Beads: Implying a long life and longevity.
Nine-Eyed Shale Stone, Agate, and Chalcedony
Shale Stone: A type of sedimentary rock, the composition of particles is mainly composed of thin sheet-like rocks formed by the consolidation of clay. Nine-eyed shale stone naturally forms certain patterns due to the content of chalcedony, thus becoming the raw material for making Dzi beads. A few top-quality old Dzi beads are naturally formed by nine-eyed shale stone.
Agate and Chalcedony: The mineral components of both are cryptocrystalline quartz (silicon dioxide), collectively referred to as chalcedony in mineralogy. In the gem processing industry, the cryptocrystalline quartz aggregate with banded structure is called agate, and the cryptocrystalline quartz aggregate without banded structure is called chalcedony.
The Seven Treasures of Tibetan Buddhism
The seven treasures in Tibetan Buddhism: red chalcedony, amber, clam channel, pearl, coral, gold, and silver, known as the "Western Seven Treasures."
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