Rosewood mala with protective amulet

Delicate Tibetan prayer beads made of rosewood with a protective mandala amulet made of brass, on a brown or dark green cord. The front of the amulet 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. An Om is chased on the plain back.

The mala has a circumference of approx. 52 cm, the wooden beads have a diameter of approx. 5 mm. It is hand-knotted at Atelier Tibet in Zurich.

Rosewood refers to various woods from tropical trees of the genus Dalbergia, including Dalbergia latifolia (Indian rosewood). It is characterised by its reddish-brown colour, fine grain and a subtle, pleasant scent.