The
dZi bead is part of a "family" of beads known as etched beads. This
ancient process of decorating chalcedony (a kind of quartz) with a
chemical treatment that changes the surface composition seems to have
arisen in the Indus Valley Civilization and later moved into Iran in
Sassanian Times. In general it can be said that a dZi is an etched agate
or chalcedony bead that has the universally recognized patterns: eyes, a
circle and a square, double wave forms, and certain stripes and waves.
The most desired of these are those with eyes, especially the nine-eyed
dZi (which lends more credence that these beads are from the time of the
Bon faith, as nine was an important number in that religion whereas it
is not important in the Buddhist religion). Also these beads are
tubular, generally 1-2 inches long, though there have been cases of
longer ones, must contain the shine associated with good dZi, and be in
relatively good shape. One interesting type that does not represent the
typical dZi at all, but is considered in their family is the "luk me"
dZi, or "sheep's eye". This is a tabular bead with circles representing
eyes or moons on either or both sides. It protects the owner from the
"evil eye"The dZi, particularly those of sought after patterns, command
high prices and are very difficult to come by. Most Tibetans will not
let go of a dZi once they have it because it provides them with
protection, and may cause bad luck if they were to get rid of it. The dZi is a type of bead known as an etched agate or chalcedony bead. Etching is actually a misnomer for the process, since instead of digging into the surface of the stone, chemical treatments are used to create the patterns. First the surface of the bead is painted on with an alkali substance and fired. This permanently whitens the area of the bead covered with the chemical down through the surface. These whitened areas are distinctly raised on some specimens. Also, another chemical could be painted onto either the plain surface of the stone or the previously whitened area and then fired in order to make dark patterns upon the bead.The etched chalcedony beads have been manufactured since very early. The earliest believed date for these beads is in the 2700 B.C. where they have mainly been found at Mesopotamian and Indus Civilization sites of Lothaland Chanhu Daro. Another period of manufacture for these beads is from 550 B.C. to 200 A.D. where they were found mainly at Indian Subcontinent sites. There was a final period of manufacture from 224 to 643 A.D. which was based in Iran during Sassanian times. The art did not die out at the end of this time, as etched products (though not necessarily beads) were being produced into the twentieth century. The exact method of manufacture for the beads is still unknown.
The dZi are even considered to be of medicinal value. Traditional medicine in Tibet for epilepsy includes grinding up a previously unbroken dZi to mix with other magical substances to make a pill for the sufferer. An unbroken dZi is used for this because it is believed that once a dZi is broken, its power has been used up for the protective purposes it was meant to serve. The wearer has already been saved from attack at this time.Tibetans believe that the dZi are precious jewels of supernatural origin. There are many different stories and beliefs surrounding the dZi, all describing their existence as non-manmade artifacts.
Their origin is said to be from ancient times when semi-gods wore them as ornaments. Whenever the dZi became blemished slightly, they were thrown to the earth. This might be an attempt to explain why the beads are never found in perfect condition. Once they fell to earth, they manifested as insects. There are several stories regarding the dZi as insects.The stories discuss how the dZi were once insects that moved like worms in the earth, but had become petrified, usually by the touch of human hand. One story involves a man who saw one these insects high in the mountains and threw his hat over it to capture it. When he removed the hat, the insect had become petrified and in its place lay a dZi. Another set of the insect stories relate that they were encountered in the high mountains by someone with especially good karma who managed to catch them. But in coming into contact with the defilement of human touch they had become petrified. Sometimes these insect dZi are found in cattle dung or the horns of slaughtered animals. This insect theory is widespread and is often cited to explain why a great number of dZi are often found at once, forming a kind of "nest". Some believe that even after the beads have been unearthed they will continue to move for a little while.
