What is a Dzi Bead?

The origin of 'old' or 'authentic' dzi beads is unknown. However there are several theories that exist in Tibetan popular culture to explain their origins, such as that they are of non-human origin, for example made by the gods. As such, dzi beads are endowed with talismanic properties. In recent years their monetary value has increased radically, with authentic beads regularly valued at several thousand dollars apiece.

The lesser quality Dzi called Chung that are prized and collected in the Himalayas. Chung dZi (lesser quality dZi) and decorated carnelians that exhibit a white surface residue differ from pure dZi and better quality chung dZi examples where the colour has gone into, rather than onto the bead. In Tibet and the surrounding Himalayan countries of Nepal, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Bhutan?all within Central Asia, jewelry has always been of great significance. It was used as a way to show status, and also had great religious significance. Even the poorest families had some type of bead for amuletic purposes. Beads themselves were elemental in color: red coral as blood, fire and light, turquoise beads as water, sky and air, and amber to represent earth. The jewellery of Tibetans is often monumental in scale, to express the rank of its owner and also be sturdy enough to survive life on the road.

Tibetan beads are simple and well porportioned. Their colourful nature and elaborate designs are reminiscent of the designs found in India and China. The necklaces themselves have their worth determined not by the actual value of the precious and semi-precious stones on them (since many times these are glass simulants of the actual stones anyway) but by the intensity of the colors, the weight of the charm boxes, the size of the coral, and the dZi beads present. Worth was decided by how well the necklace looked. dZi have not only been added to necklaces, but have been known to be plaited into the hair of Tibetan women. dZi beads are from the era when there was an animist religion called the "Bon" faith. This is due to the strange patterning on the beads which is suggestive of the shamanism and sorcery present in that religion. The most desired of these are those with eyes, especially the nine-eyed dZi (which lends more credence that these beads are from the time of the Bon faith, as nine was an important number in that religion whereas it is not important in the Buddhist religion). Also these beads are tubular, generally 1-2 inches long, though there have been cases of longer ones, must contain the shine associated with good dZi, and be in relatively good shape. One interesting type that does not represent the typical dZi at all, but is considered in their family is the "luk me" Dzi, or "sheep's eye". This is a tabular bead with circles representing eyes or moons on either or both sides. The rarest are the black?Tiger striped? dZi Beads.

Mythology

The Dzi is considered to be of medicinal value. Traditional medicine in Tibet for epilepsy includes grinding up a previously unbroken dZi to mix with other magical substances to make a pill for the sufferer. An unbroken Dzi is used for this because it is believed that once a dZi is broken, its power has been used up for the protective purposes it was meant to serve. The wearer has already been saved from attack at this time.Tibetans believe that the Dzi are precious jewels of supernatural origin. There are many different stories and beliefs surrounding the Dzi, all describing their existence as non-manmade artifacts.

Their origin is said to be from ancient times when semi-gods wore them as ornaments. Whenever the dZi became blemished slightly, they were thrown to the earth. This might be an attempt to explain why the beads are never found in perfect condition. Once they fell to earth, they manifested as insects. There are several stories regarding the dZi as insects.The stories discuss how the dZi were once insects that moved like worms in the earth, but had become petrified, usually by the touch of human hand. One story involves a man who saw one these insects high in the mountains and threw his hat over it to capture it. When he removed the hat, the insect had become petrified and in its place lay a dZi. Another set of the insect stories relate that they were encountered in the high mountains by someone with especially good karma who managed to catch them. But in coming into contact with the defilement of human touch they had become petrified. Sometimes these insect dZi are found in cattle dung or the horns of slaughtered animals. This insect theory is widespread and is often cited to explain why a great number of Dzi are often found at once, forming a kind of "nest". Some believe that even after the beads have been unearthed they will continue to move for a little while.