Origin,Legend And History Of Dzi Beads

Posted by slang on April 15, 2007

Dzi or Gzi(pronounced as “zee”) in Tibetan word means “good retribution, dignity and perfection”. The Dzi is a stunning contrasts of black and white (or dark brown) bead of etched or treated agate.

For thousands of years, Tibetans have viewed Dzi as a living gemstone. It is meant for devout worship and is reverently kept and passed down over generations. The authentic “Pure Dzi” are found primarily in Tibet and the “Chung Dzi” which is of lesser pure type of Dzi can be found in neighboring countries such as Nepal. The “pure” dZi beads are regarded as the most valuable and desirable variety. Etched agate beads not considered pure are called “Chung Dzi”, or “secondary, less important dZi.”

Dzi enjoys great popularity around the world, and it is a revered sacred charm for protection, worship, health, as well as a symbol of wealth.

Places of Origin and Legends Of Dzi:-

There are many stories pertaining to the place of origin and legend about Dzi which includes the following:

• The main places of origin are Western Tibet, Eastern Tibet, Bhutan,Sikkim, Ladakh and certain regions in the Himalaysa.Dzi has been around for 2000 to 2500 years.
• Some believed that Dzi originated from a stream in Ngari;another believed that it was the treasure of the Azha Kingdom, Tibet: yet others thought it was one of the gemstones in the treasury of the Tagzig Kingdom.
• Some believed that Dzi is actually a “God’s treasure” which has descended to earth and was discovered by the Tibetans. Hence the Tibetans still regard Dzi as the “heavenly stone”.
• It is also said to be the celestial essence from Manjushri Bodhisattva’s previous incarnate (Manjushri Buddha) and some believed it was made by Asura;
• It is even said to be made from meteorites that plummeted down to earth from outer space.
• Plankton from the Tethys Sea

In very ancient times,the land on which now stands Tibet was a vast inland sea known as Tethys Sea.Gzi were microscopic organisms drifting in the sea.In their original form,they were like mollusks and conches with a fleshy body protected by a shell.They could move about freely.Later,as a result of prodigious geological upheaval,the seabed was thrust skyward to become the Himalayas.The plankton died,their flesh dried up and their shells turned into Gzi beads.

• Painted stones from India

A couple dwelling in the Himalayas painted designs onto a unique kind of stone from India to create Gzi beads.Since painting such stones involved elaborate skill and learning such skill was extremely difficult,the skill was lost after the death of the couple.

• Snake-like living things

Gzi are living things that could move about like a snake. When they are found and touched, they will stop moving and turn into a string of Gzi beads. Legend alleges that where horses rest with their legs thrown up to the sky, there are Gzi beads nearby.

• Appear in fields and in the dune of cattle and sheep

Gzi beads are ancient relics buried deep underground but geological movements in the course of time expose them on the earth surface. They are picked up by farmers during fieldwork. There are also Tibetan nomads trying to search the dune of the animals they grazed in the meadows in hope of finding Gzi beads.

• Petrified insects, or the crystallized fossil of the sacred Khyang bird

• Insects that can fly, run and crawl

Lamas use their long sleeves to strike down those flying and running insects which then harden into Gzi beads. As for those crawling on the ground, men will throw sand onto them to immobilize them. Then they will harden into Gzi beads. If the sand fails to hit them, they will disappear.

• Gzi meadows

There are several Gzi meadows in Tibet.It is said that people with merits would see them flying above the meadow.After being captured they will turn into fossils.

• Weapon of Asura

Asura belongs to one of the six classes of living beings.Its abode is deep in the ocean to the north of Mt.Sumera,the center of the Buddhist world.Asura always acts against the Sakyamuni Buddha and does not listen to the Buddha’s words.Therefore it is considered a non-god, non-divine and non-human being with a bellicose character.Gzi beads are its weapons.

• Precious jewels of the gods

Tibetans believe that Gzi beads are the precious jewels of the gods who discard them to the human world when they become blemished. This explains why it is extremely difficult to find Gzi beads in perfect condition.

• Gzi come in hoards

Such a legend circulates among the Tibetans in the Kham region. One day, A man herding yaks accidentally found a hoard of beautiful Gzi in the mountain. Many Gzi crawled around in their “nest”. He tried to capture them all but failed to do so .He then ran back to his village to fetch help. Later, he returned to find that except for a few Gzi, the rest had managed to escape from the nest. They could not find the lost Gzi despite repeated searches.

• Gzi stream in Ngari

Legend alleges that there were Gzi beads flowing continuously like a stream from a mountain slope near Rutog in Ngari.One day, a wicked woman “cast an evil eye” at the mountain and the flow of Gzi immediately stopped. It is said that the spot can still be recognized. It is marked by characteristic black and white stripes like those on a Gzi bead.

• Magic beads cast by Vajravarahi Buddha

During those early years when Tibet was overwhelmed by severe epidemic, Tibetans were plunged into an abyss of misery and they led a very hard life. Fortunately, the compassionate Vajravarahi Buddha came to relieve them by dropping from the sky magic Gzi beads.

Historical Accounts Of Dzi Beads:

The earliest record of Dzi in China’s history is in the Tang Dynasty. When Princess Wencheng married Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, the most expensive betrothal gift was a Buddha statue built according to the image of the 12 year old Jowo Sakyamuni. It was brought to Tibet all the way from Chang’an. The Buddha’s diadem, cape, decorative strap and robe were splendidly adorned with various pearls, agates, turquoises, corals and hundreds of various Dzi, including three Nine-eyed Dzi beads, Triple-eyed Dzi beads, Double-eyed Dzi beads, Tiger-tooth & Longevity Dzi beads and others. This Buddha statue is currently placed in Lhasa, Jokhang Monastery. Hence, we can see that Dzi beads have been used as offerings to Buddha; not only are they sacred, but they are also rare and precious.