Mala Beads Meaning and Symbolism

Mala is a string of prayer or meditation beads commonly used for spiritual practice. Mala have been used by yoga enthusiasts and spiritual searchers for thousands of years. The use of Mala beads first emerged 3000 years ago in India. It was first introduced in Buddhist and Hindu prayer during ceremonial meditation called Japa (the meditive repetition or mantra). Mala Beads are used in prayer ceremonies because of their incredible historic, religious and spiritual significance.

They are used in modern times for focus during meditation and assist in counting the number of repetitions of affirmations, phrases or mantras. The beads can be worn as a necklace or bracelet and are often made from a range of materials including wood, stone and metal.

Tradition Mala Beads Meaning

While some modern Mala’s are made from gemstones, traditional Mala’s were made from Rudraksha (seeds found in a vibrant blueberry-like fruit of the evergreen Elaeocarpus ganitrus trees which flourish in southeast Asia). The Rudraksha is known as the sacred seed of Mala.

Traditional Rudraksha malas are said to be the most powerful tool to use in the quest of self-realization due to their high vibrational healing qualities and ability to fuse with the wearers aura and intentions .

When using them during your prayer or meditation, they can calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and dissipate fear whilst assisting you to maintain focus and keep count of your mantra. Mala beads are incredible tools that hold physical beauty and spiritual value.

There are three important parts of the Mala beads that hold their own specific symbolism and significance. The number of 108 beads on the string, the color of the tassel and the guru bead which becomes the 109th bead.

108 Mala Beads Meaning

Typically, there are 108 beads on a mala string. The seemingly random number of 108 beads has been studied to create multiple theories of its meaning. Some theories believe that the 1 represents the one god, the 0 represents humility and the 8 mirrors the infinity symbol.

The number 108 is sacred and significant in many ways, appearing in many disciplines from astronomy to yoga. Some believe that there are 108 stages on the journey of the human soul. There are many meanings and beliefs regarding the significance of the number.

Some examples of the sacred meanings behind the number 108 include its countless patterns and potential divisions and the 108 sacred places in the body identified in the field of Ayurveda (an alternative medicine system focusing on natural ingredients).

Did you know that the distance between the Moon and Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Moon and that there are 12 zodiac signs and 9 planets (12 x 9 = 108)! This number is incredibly significant and appears in many spiritual, astronomical and religious contexts.

The truth is, the significance and meaning of the 108 beads is open to interpretation for everyone who wears them. Which is incredibly special, personal and can grow for you as you begin to wear your own Mala beads.

What is the Guru Bead Meaning

Mala beads have a 109th bead often attached to the tassel called the guru bead. This bead is also called a sumeru (“very exalted”), stupa (“summit”) or bindu (“dot” or “point”).The guru bead indicates the start and end of a full circle of the Mala beads during prayer – people begin their prayer to the right of the Mala beads and finish on the left. When completing the circle, the bead is often used as a place for reflection and relaxation before finishing your prayer, meditation or yoga practice. It has been said that the guru bead can be viewed as your teacher or role model – it is thought to hold your deepest thoughts and intentions which is why it is used as a point of reflection at the end of your prayer .

The guru bead is not counted as one of the 108 Mala beads and may be made of a specific material or color to symbolize its individual meaning and intention. Sometimes people replace the tassel below the bead with a special charm to accentuate the guru bead and highlight its importance when compared to the rest of the Mala beads. The Guru bead is an important part of the Mala bead anatomy.

What does the Mala Beads Tassel Mean and Symbolize

Mala beads are often finished with a tassel and guru bead. The tassel and guru bead can be used as a point of closure and reflection for your time in prayer.

It is said that the tassel is representative of our highest self and associated connection to spirit. The binding of the Mala by the tassel symbolizes our connection to the divine and the inherent oneness of all reality. The tassel can also represent pure consciousness, the wearers wish to cultivate their life force energy and their yearning towards liberation.

The color of the tassel can also have important spiritual and psychological meaning and effect on the wearer. This is important when choosing or customizing your Mala. Some people choose not to include the tassel at all and instead end their prayer at the guru bead or replace the tassel with a special charm. Mala beads are personal and special tools that can be personalized.

Many believe that the tassel also holds spiritual significance, stating that the number of strands that come together represents unity and oneness.

Mala Beads Meaning By Color

1. White Mala Beads

The color white represents holistic inner peace. The color is comprised of all 7 colors of the rainbow which is why it is seen to represent wholeness and spiritual purity. The color is often thought to be associated with angels and allows you to connect deeply with the spiritual world.

2. Black Mala Beads

Black Mala beads are thought to symbolize protection and success. The color protects its wearer from negative energy which in turn, relieves mental stress and motivates you to succeed. The color black symbolizes grounding strength and increases your sense of potential and possibility.

3. Brown Mala Beads

Brown is a stable, grounding color that helps you to form a spiritual connection with the earth. The color of wood and earth symbolizes honesty, warmth and reliability. Often, brown Mala beads can be thought to have a nurturing motherly energy that can guide you in your prayers.

4. Blue Mala Beads

The color blue is associated with inner peace and relaxation. It is a calming color that represents the natural soothing nature of the ocean. The color is associated with well-being and is useful in promoting a calm, grounded, peaceful environment when you pray.

5. Red Mala Beads

The color red is associated with passionate love, power and energetic drive. Red Mala beads draw upon these strong qualities when you are lacking the motivation or intention when praying. The provide you with the clarity you need for a productivity boost.

6. Green Mala Beads

Green is the color of personal growth and arising opportunity. Green Mala beads are known to represent healing, growth and prosperity. The color green also has a connection to the heart chakra which brings a loving energy into your prayer.

7. Grey Mala Beads

Grey is a neutral color that symbolizes balance, symmetry and order. It is a color with both feminine and masculine qualities and is known to often be associated with formal, sophisticated moods and styles. Overall, the symmetry and balance of this color helps to ground you during prayer.

8. Pink Mala Beads

Universally, pink is the color of love. Within Mala beads, pink can represent love for yourself, your spirituality and others. It represents affection, harmony and compassion. You can draw on the color pink during your prayer to open your heart.

9. Purple Mala Beads

The color purple represents secrecy, mystery and hidden depths. This is due to its difficulty to be extracted as a color in nature. Purple Mala beads represent commitment to human potential, expansion of the mind to new ideas and an openness to improving spiritual values.

10. Yellow Mala Beads

Yellow is the most visible of all colors. It represents an open mind, clarity and inspiration. Yellow is a great color to incorporate into your Mala beads for creative inspiration, a clear mind and improved focus. The color also encourages self expression and confidence.

Mala Beads Meaning By Material

1. Amethyst Mala Beads

Amethyst is a powerful stone with high spiritual vibrations and protective values. This stone promotes emotional balance by equaling out your highs and lows. It is a great stone for a clear, focused mind and deeper connection with yourself and your spirituality.

2. Sandalwood Mala Beads

Sandalwood Malas are made from the wood carved from naturally occurring Sandalwood trees in Asia and East India. Sandalwood has been used for centuries and is considered to be a holy material. It is thought to stimulate your third eye chakra during prayer.

3. Jade Mala Beads

Jade is considered to be a precious gem in Chinese culture due to its 5 great virtues of wisdom, justice, modesty, courage and purity along with its 5 happiness’s of wealth, old age, health, natural death and love. It is a symbol of purity and serenity.

4. Redwood Mala Beads

Redwood symbolizes longevity, a healthy life and vitality. As the name suggests, it is red in color and is known to be a symbol of safety, wellness, wisdom and communication. It is a great material to include in your Mala for good health.

5. Ebony Mala Beads

Ebony is a dense wood that is a deep black color. It brings look luck and is a symbol of power, purity, balance and protection. It has been said that Ebony amplifies the positive vibrational energy around you.

6. Rosewood Mala Beads

Rosewood is a prized material from India. It has a deep, dark color which is associated with grounding and protection. This protection repels negative energy during your prayer. Rosewood is associated with the heart chakra – the center of love and compassion.

7. Agates Mala Beads

Agates are ancient healing stones thought to be associated with good luck. Agate attracts a balance between your emotional, physical and spiritual states and aids in centering and stabilizing physical energy. It is effective in treating emotional trauma and regaining emotional balance.

8. Azurite Mala Beads

Azurite is a stone made of naturally formed malachite and copper. They are blue and green in color and often are associated with cleansing and stimulating the third eye. Azurite is known to support new perspectives via an open mind, memory stimulation and a release of communication blocks.

9. Hematite Mala Beads

Hematite is a naturally occurring mineral that is black in color and known to have incredible grounding properties. It is said that hematite develops focus and concentration, relieves stress and purifies energy via its cooling and calming effects.

10. Jasper Mala Beads

Jasper is known as the “supreme nurturer” due to its support during times of stress and its ability to attract tranquility and wholeness. The stone encourages honesty within yourself and pushes for determination in all pursuits. Overall, the stone brings forward the strength and courage you need to tackle problems within your life.

11. Moonstone Mala Beads

Moonstone is the stone of new beginnings and enhanced intuition. Moonstone is a reflection of the moons ability to remind us that each aspect of our lives belong to cycles. It is known for calming and regulations your emotions, soothing stress and promoting empathy.

12. Onyx Mala Beads

Onyx is a dark colored stone that is known to provide you with the support you need during challenging or confusing life circumstances. It pushes you to learn from lessons in a positive way by proving you with the stamina and self-confidence you need.

13. Rose Quartz Mala Beads

Rose Quartz is light pink in color and is the gemstone of unconditional love and peace within your life. It has a calming and reassuring energy that induces a deep sense of self love and worthiness during prayer.

14. Sunstone Mala Beads

Sunstone works towards cleansing and clearing each of your chakras by restoring joy within you and nurturing your spirituality. It is a mixture of yellows and pinks and is known to assist with positive manifestation.

15. TigersEye Mala Beads

Tigerseye is made up of a mixture of black and brown colors. It helps to heal personal issues with self-worth, self-criticism and blocked creativity. It is also known to support those with an addictive personality in making positive changes within their life.