There are kinds of DZI Beads. The big difference is the "eyes". There are eyes on the dzi ( from one to fifteen, sixteen...twenty-one...). The function and meaning is also different according to the different eyes. Following is the meanings of different eyed dzi.
The four-eyed DZI represents the four major Gods of Buddhism. It helps to clear obstacles, overcome negative influences, it keeps anger under control and brings longevity.
Nine-Eye DZI is the symbol of The Nine Planets, It includes the activity of the Universe and the wisdom of the humanity. DZI beads with 9 eyes are the emperor of all DZI. This DZI is also weath bead by the local Tibetan people. Wearing nine-eye DZI Beads helps people expand intelligence and wisdom, obtain ability, enhance power and purify negative energy. It helps the investors with the successful development of new ideas in rolling in wealth.
The ten-eyed DZI is a symbol of perfection in everything. It helps the wearer to have a happy relationship with ones partner and it should remove obstacles in the area of career development.
The 21 eyed Dzi is very powerful, comparable to 9-Eye Dzi;The dzi with 21 eyes is believed to help one attain highest level of enlightenment; materialize your wishes, strengthen one's reputation, power and influence; dispel obstacles and ensures smoothsailing luck.
The 21-eyed DZI offers the wearer the greatest magic, strength, power, health and wealth. This DZI enhances one¡¯s ability to help others in restoring their life. The 21-eyed DZI assists the wearer only if one¡¯s is very pure from heart and mind.
The Dragon-eyed DZI represents the mantra ¡°Om Mani Padme Hum¡± and is the root for happiness and good karma. Dragons are considered to be the source of life and live between heaven and earth. The dragon should be able to connect the 3 key components body, mind and heart. It is believed that each dragon bead is connected to a dragon and that this helps the wearer to achieve good health, wealth and success.
The Tiger¡¯s teeth DZI is widely sought for its spiritual properties. It is believed that this DZI gives the wearer spiritual power and drives out the evil.
This DZI with a double row of tiger¡¯s teeth should possess six times the spiritual strength of a DZI with a single row of tiger¡¯s teeth.
The back of the Turtle Skin represents for a long and healthy life. This DZI should protect the wearer against sickness caused by spirits.
The turtle shell pattern is also used in combination with other DZI patterns. This means that Longevity is added to the meaning of the original pattern.
The Wish DZI (Ruyi DZI in Chinese) is also called the sacred DZI. It was frequently used by monks in temples or in altars. It was believed the Wish DZI should attract good aura¡¯s and bring the wearer the highest and purest energy.
Green Tara DZI represents dignity, auspiciousness, wealth, successful career. Thus, wearing Green Tara DZI beads may help people grain wealth, success in life and career.
Bodhi DZI represents kindness, justice, truth and wisdom. This DZI gives wearer a generous and forgiving heart. Wearing the Bodhi DZI Bead may help people walk in the right way in their life and help others always The Bodhi DZI should protect the wearer from disasters and help them avoid dangers.
WanZi DZI: Swastika DZI (CALLED WanZi DZI in Chinese). The Swastika pattern on the DZI represents the root of Buddhism ¨C everlasting and brightness. The Swastika was often placed over the heart of Buddha. This DZI is believed to help the wearer to speak universal law and help wearer to walk in the right way in their life. It brings happiness, wealth and prosperity.
The Dorje DZI Bead is believed to help the wearer banish evil energy and spirits, eliminate ignorance, increase sense of inspiration and light the path to enlightenment and nirvana.
Names: The meaning of the word "dZi" translates to "shine, brightness, clearness, splendor". In Traditional Chinese, the bead is called "heaven's bead" or "heaven's pearl" (ÌìÖé).
Design: Dzi stones are made from agate, and may have decorated symbols composed of circles, ovals, square, waves (zig zags), stripes, lines, diamonds, circles, squares, waves, and stripes and various other natural archetypal symbolic patterns. Colors will mainly range from browns to blacks with the pattern usually being in ivory white. Dzi beads can appear in different colours, shapes and sizes. The number of eyes on the stone usually signify different meanings. "Eyes" refers to the circular dot designs, and depending on their number and arrangement, represent different things. Sometimes the natural patterns (usually "layered" swirls) of the agate can be seen underneath or behind the decorated symbols and designs, and sometimes not. Some dzi beads sport what are referred to as "blood spots" which can be seen as red dots in the white areas, which are indicative of cinnabar content. This is highly desirable, but more rare. Another desirable effect is something called "N¨¡ga skin" or "dragon skin," which refers to the cracking patterns on the surface of the bead, which simulates scales. The word "waxy" is often used to describe dzi bead surface, which is the smoothing which occurs over a long period of time (presumably from wear), giving the bead a waxy appearance. Some dzi beads are simply polished agate and sport only the agate's natural patterning as decoration.
There are beads referred to as "chung dzi" or simply "chung beads" which are often highly polished agate designs, can be any variety of colors, may include hand carved designs, or they look very similar to a dzi bead but because of their depictions (for example, the shape of Quan Yin) are not true dzi. Chung dzis include such designs as yin-yang symbols, dragons, and other "newer" designs that were not around during the time true dzi beads were supposedly created. Chung dzi are believed to embody similar properties as dzi but should not be confused with true dzi beads (they often cost much less than true dzi).
Origin: Dzi stones may have made their first appearance between 2000 BC to 1000 BC, in ancient Tibet a few thousand were brought back by Tibetan soldiers from Persia.Dzis were crafted using agate as the base stone and then fabricated with lines and circles using unique ancient methods and techniques by Persian craftsmen. scientists these days can manufacture dzi stones in bulks easily but they too wonder the techniques and methods used by ancient craftsmens which still remain ambiguous and oblivious to all skeptics.[1]. Fear of the ¡°Evil eye¡± was taken very seriously by these people, so they created talismans with ¡°eyes¡± on them as a ¡°fight fire with fire¡± form of protection, as a matter of fact Lord Shiva who is revered as one of the Trinity in Hinduism possesses a "third eye".
While the origin surrounding Dzi beads is quite uncertain, it is socially accepted today that they are called "Tibetan beads". They are found primarily in Tibet, but also in neighbouring Bhutan, Ladakh and Sikkim. Shepherds and farmers pick them up in the grasslands or while cultivating fields. Because dZi are found in the earth, Tibetans cannot conceive of them as man-made. One reason the beads may be found near the surface in places such as freshly tilled fields, for example, are believed to be because ancient monks were burned in funeral pyres (wearing the beads), and long after the remains were gone, the beads therefore remained, and were found at later dates. Since knowledge of the bead is derived from oral traditions, few beads have provoked more controversy concerning their source, method of manufacture and even precise definition. In Tibetan culture they are believed to attract protector deities[2].
Supply and demand: Due to the unknown origin and high demand of the beads, there has been unquestionable counterfeiting in Asia. Some are replicas created for decorative purposes, and accepted by the general public. In Chinese culture, a necklace is believed to be genuine if it was obtained without monetary exchange, for example from a temple. The other cultural requirement is that one should not request or bribe for it.