A warm row of golden-brown tiger eye beads playing with a silky band of light – an energising, grounded companion for practice.
The stone of tiger eye
Tiger eye is a golden-brown quartz with a silky lustre, recognised by the characteristic banded play of light (chatoyancy) that comes from its fibrous structure. Its Mohs hardness is about 7 and its chief source is South Africa. Tradition knows it as a stone of courage and protection, tied to grounding and self-confidence. These are traditional ideas.
The 108-bead mala
A mala is the prayer strand of the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, originally used to count mantras during meditation. Beyond the 108 beads, a larger guru bead closes the loop; it stands for wisdom, while the small cylinder above it represents emptiness. The beads pass one by one between the fingers as attention rests on the meaning and vibration of the words. Today many also wear a mala as a wrapped wrist accessory.
How to use it
The band of light running across the beads comes alive with every movement in the hand. Hold the strand during mantra recitation or wear it on the wrist through the day.
Material and craft
A 108-bead strand of natural gemstone beads, roughly 34.5 cm long. Because it is made of natural stone, every piece is unique: shade and veining may vary slightly. The mala comes with a decorative brocade pouch that protects it and makes a fitting gift presentation.
Good to know
Wipe the stone with a soft cloth and lukewarm water; avoid prolonged direct sunlight and harsh chemicals. The meaning attached to it comes from tradition and makes no medical claim.