Chinese Mala or Set of Meditation Beads

Diagonal line of polished dark beads marches to the corner.

This zitan mala or set of meditation beads from China is from China, and is contemporary. Beads on a mala are typically counted one at a time while reciting a mantra or breathing, and the string is often finished with a larger guru bead. Strand of evenly sized round beads in deep brown with a warm reddish tint and a gentle polish. The line of beads runs at a steep diagonal across the frame, with tiny grain marks on each surface. It is 17.5 inches long.

Not one bead out of step.