Green Tara with Turquoise Beads Thangka Pendant Necklace

Green Tara Turquoise 108 Compassion Chain: An In-Depth Cultural and Spiritual Analysis

I. Religious Symbolism & Core Meaning

• Green Tara (Tāra) as the Embodiment of Compassion:
  The chain is consecrated to Green Tara (Sanskrit: Tāra; Tibetan: Dolma), an enlightened bodhisattva who emerged from Avalokiteshvara’s tears of compassion. Renowned as the "Savioress," she embodies the feminine energy of swift action to rescue beings from the Eight Great Fears (lions, fire, snakes, etc.). Her green hue symbolizes:
  • Vitality of enlightenment
  • Nurturing compassion like the earth
  • Freedom from karmic bondage
• 108 Beads: A Sacred Numerology of Compassion:
  The 108 beads represent:
  • 108 karmic defilements to transcend
  • 108 forms of Tara’s compassionate emanations
  • The cycle of samsara transformed into enlightenment
• Turquoise: The Gem of Spiritual Connection:
  Turquoise (Tibetan: གཟི་ཡར་) is revered for:
  • Its sky-blue hue, symbolizing the pure mind of enlightenment
  • Historical use in Tibetan Buddhism as a bridge between deities and practitioners (as referenced in the Bka’-brgyud-pa scriptures)
  • Ability to amplify compassionate energy when paired with Tara’s mantra

• Central Medallion Design:
  The hand-carved Green Tara medallion depicts:
  • One face, three eyes (sees through ignorance)
  • Left hand in varada mudra (wish-fulfilling) holding a blue utpala lotus
  • Right hand in abhaya mudra (protection) at heart center
  • Seated on a lotus throne, right leg extended to signify readiness to aid suffering
• Turquoise Bead Symbolism:
  Each bead’s natural veining is interpreted as:
  • "River of compassion" patterns (web-like veins)
  • "Lotus blossom" inclusions (circular patterns)
  • "Thunderbolt" streaks (linear veins, symbolizing swift action)
• Mantra Engravings:
  Key beads are inscribed with Green Tara’s core mantra:
  "Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svāhā"
  Chanting this invokes her blessings to:
  • Transform fear into courage
  • Cultivate altruistic love
  • Remove obstacles to compassion

II. Artistic Features & Technical Craftsmanship

• Masterful Turquoise Inlay: Following the Tantric Canons of Proportions, artisans:
  • Source turquoise from Tibet’s Nakchü Basin (sky-blue with minimal iron spots)
  • Carve beads with precise roundness (10–14mm diameter) to symbolize "endless compassion"
• Metallic Accents: Silver or gold-plated spacers often feature:
  • Lotus petal motifs (purity of intention)
  • Tara’s eight auspicious attributes (e.g., parasol, conch shell)
  • Tibetan script blessings (e.g., "Om Mani Padme Hum" for universal love)
• Artisan Signatures: Authentic pieces bear the seal of Regong masters (e.g., Lobsang Tsering lineage), hand-stamped on the medallion or clasp.

• Ancient Regong Style: Rustic beads with natural pits, favored by yogis for austerity practices.
• Imperial Court Style: Polished beads with inlaid gold filigree, resembling treasures of the Dalai Lama’s treasury.
• Vajrayana Ritual Version: Includes a "guru bead" with a three-dimensional Tara face, flanked by miniature lotus charms.

III. Ritual Practice & Spiritual Benefits

• Mantra Recitation & Compassion Yoga:
  Hold the chain with the right hand, using the thumb to count mantras (avoiding the little finger, seen as inauspicious). Traditional practices include:
  • 108 recitations at dawn to cultivate daily compassion
  • 1,080 recitations on full moons for deep karmic purification
• Energetic Activation:
  Wearing the chain on the left wrist (near the heart chakra) is said to:
  • Balance the throat chakra (vital for kind speech)
  • Create a "compassion field" that influences others positively
  • Awaken the wearer’s innate bodhichitta (altruistic mind)
• Etiquette & Taboos:
  • Never place the chain on the ground (disrespect to the Dharma)
  • Remove before engaging in harmful actions (e.g., lying, harming others)
  • Clean monthly with Tibetan incense smoke and distilled water (blessed by a lama)

• Interpersonal Harmony: Practitioners report improved relationships and increased empathy.
• Emotional Healing: Turquoise is believed to soothe anxiety and transform negative emotions into love.
• Karmic Merit: Wearing the chain accumulates merit for rebirth in compassionate realms, as per the Sutra of the Lotus Born.

IV. Cultural Legacy & Collectible Value

• Origins in Tang-Tibet Exchanges:
  Turquoise bead chains emerged in Tibet during the 7th century, when Princess Wencheng introduced Tara worship alongside Chinese turquoise crafts. Early specimens were found in the Jokhang Temple’s relic collections.
• Regong’s Golden Age:
  During the Qing Dynasty, Regong artisans perfected turquoise carving for imperial tribute, with Tara chains featuring in the personal collections of Tibetan aristocracy.
• Modern Revival:
  Post-2010, global interest in spiritual art has spurred a resurgence, with contemporary masters like Tsering Dorje blending traditional motifs with ethical sourcing.

• Vintage Regong turquoise chains (pre-1950) command $5,000–$25,000 at auction, while contemporary masterpieces start at $1,200.
• Rare pieces with "self-formed" lotus-patterned turquoise have seen 28% annual value appreciation since 2021, driven by collectors seeking both art and metaphysical resonance.

Conclusion

• Religious Core: Tara’s iconography and turquoise’s celestial blue create a conduit for awakening and amplifying altruistic love.
• Artistic Mastery: Regong’s carving, inlay, and mantra engraving reflect 1,300+ years of Tibetan compassionate art traditions.
• Energetic Circuit: The 108 beads form a karmic purification cycle, while the Tara medallion anchors the wearer in the wisdom of selfless action.

More than just jewelry, at Zensymbols, we view it as a way of life; Accepting life's contrasts, nourishing one's spirit; Inspiring one's thoughts; revitalizing the body; Brightening your existence.

Our Founder

When I was young, I came across an article about Tibet, and that was the starting point for me to know about Tibet.

The fascinating the snow-covered plateau, the distressing poor Tibetan life, and the devout faith of Tibetans make myself yearn for the pure and full spiritual power of the plateau.

And so, the adventure begins

Over the past four years, I have traveled to my dream serendipity Tibet numerous times. During one spiritual journeys after another, not only did I see picturesque scenery, kind Tibetans, sacred temples, but also found my deepest self. By chance, an esteemed senior gave me a Tibetan name representing Lotus - Pema. I would like to introduce myself thereafter. My love for Tibet transcends the place where I was born and any city I live in.I poured my love for Tibet into an online website dedicated to supporting Tibetan artists and the poor in the region.

We appreciate that you are a part of this path of good karma.

Pedma

Founder

 

Our mission

• Our mission at Zensymbols is to make carefully chosen handmade items available to a worldwide audience while igniting dialogue about preserving traditional crafts.

• We provide authentic Dharma products of the highest caliber to encourage your spiritual practice and deliver spiritual jewelry to enhance your life. Tracing our humble roots to our extensive travel and spiritual experience with Tibetan cultures, we have seen how powerful spiritual jewelry and amulets can be.

• Buddha Stones is committed to preserving significant meaningful items that promote harmony, joy, and present-moment mindfulness. The symbols on the Buddha Stones are meant to represent faith, protection, and healing. They bring good luck to you and your loved ones since they have the power to draw in good energies and drive away bad ones.

• At Zensymbols shop, we conduct research to find new Buddha-related goods and categories that are appropriate for your family's daily needs. We must provide you with the best value for your money so that each time you purchase with us, you get a better deal than you would elsewhere.

• We sincerely believe that honesty and sincerity are necessary to satisfy customers completely. We are happy to work with individuals who respect action-based leadership and share our values. We want you to feel STRONG, ENLIGHTENED, CONFIDENT, OPTIMISTIC, and AMAZING.

 

Our Design

• Zensymbols is happy to collaborate with creatives worldwide to produce goods that uplift and inspire. The craft traditions of locations like Tibet, Nepal, China, Thailand, and other parts of the world are the source of many of our creations. Every year, we visit places like Tibet, Nepal, etc., to build relationships with artisans and ensure our sustainable and environmentally responsible sourcing practices.

• We speak with the artists directly. Zensymbols continues to expand and fortify our network of regional artists with hard work in Tibet and Nepal. We want to create a network online that supports Tibetans, Nepalis, and others who need financial assistance for their trade-in addition to growing our client base.

 
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