Lapis lazuli mala with protective amulet

Lapis lazuli mala knotted on a golden-brown cord, with a protective mandala amulet made of brass. The front is embossed with the Tibetan protective symbol «Sipaho» (Tib. srid pa ho). It shows the 8 trigrams («Ba Gua»), the 12 signs of the zodiac, Buddhist symbols and the «magic square» in the centre. Sipaho amulets are traditionally worn in Tibet for protection. The back is polished smooth.

Lapis lazuli is a deep blue, opaque semi-precious stone that has been prized for its beauty and spiritual properties for thousands of years. Its name comes from the Latin lapis (stone) and the Arabic lazaward (sky or blue). The best-known deposits lie in Badakhshan in present-day Afghanistan. In Buddhist iconography, its deep blue is associated with the Medicine Buddha.

Lapis lazuli bead diameter: approx. 9 mm. Mala circumference: approx. 86 cm.

Handmade at Atelier Tibet in Zurich. The mala comes in a beautiful, individually selected silk pouch.