108 and the Sacred Thread: Mala Rituals
Words by Tanya Fevzi
Worn close to the heart and counted with every breath, mala beads are more than accessories.
Mala beads are showing up more frequently in contemporary wellness cultures in the West, and it’s great to see the ancient tradition present itself in modern contexts, but it’s vital not to forget the traditional roots behind the sometimes aestheticised beaded jewellery.
The origins of mala beads trace back to ancient India, as early as the 8th century BC, where sages used them as tools for meditation and devotion. These strings of beads, worn as necklaces or bracelets and traditionally used for counting breaths or mantras during meditation or prayer, would become conceptualised by terms like ‘mala beads,’ ‘japamalas,’ or ‘prayer beads.’ The word ‘mala’ itself is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘garland.’
During meditation or prayer, each bead is held while a mantra is recited or a breath counted. The beads are rotated one by one, with each of the 108 held in turn, until reaching the Guru bead, which marks the end of the cycle.
The beads can be made of natural gemstones, crystals, pearls, wood or seed, with each material offering unique spiritual and healing qualities. For example, wooden beads are believed to represent creativity and liberty. Some mala necklaces have a tassel, supposed to be worn at the back of the neck, representing the Guru or lotus flower, a symbol of the higher consciousness.
Whether used for meditation or prayer, practising with mala beads often involves a mantra. This could be a group of words, a syllable, or a sound repeated 108 times for each bead. An example of a Sanskrit mantra is ‘Om mani padme hum,’ which is believed to be the sound that encompasses the universe in Buddhist philosophy.
There is significance in the number 108 in both Hinduism and Buddhism, but the symbolism of the number has different meanings. Mathematicians of Hindu Vedic cosmology believe that 108 is the basis of creation, representing the universe, the wholeness of existence, and the ultimate consciousness that we are all one and the same. In Buddhism, the number instead represents the 108 human passions that impede enlightenment, which include ‘Greed’ and ‘Pride.’ Some suggest there are 108 feelings, 36 relating to the past, 36 to the present, and 36 to the future.
Beyond religion, mala beads have become a tool for personal spirituality. Chanting mantras 108 times is believed to represent a spiritual journey from the material body to the highest spiritual self. This could work as a form of manifestation by repeating positive affirmations or as a healing method to calm worries, heal grief, or encourage self-love. Spiritual uses of the beads are also tied to the astrological symbolism of the number. Multiplying the 12 houses by the 9 planets in astrology equals 108. The number can also be seen as an astrological connection of the Sun, Moon, and Earth since the average distance of the Sun and Moon to Earth is 108 times their individual diameters.
In recent years, the use of mala beads has become central in yoga practices. As well as the cosmic alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth which is often referenced in yogic teachings, there are 108 marma, or energy points, in the body, 108 Shakti Peethas, or sacred pilgrimage sites in India, and 108 ancient Vedic texts. A yogic practice based around the sacred number includes moving through Sun Salutations 108 times to welcome change, such as the passing of seasons from spring to summer, to welcome a new year, or during a time of adversity for reflection and to bring harmony.
The beliefs surrounding mala beads and the symbol of the number 108 are endless and ever-expanding. From ancient temples to modern yoga studios, the sacred thread of the mala continues to bind breath, mantra, and intention, reminding us that 108 is not just a number, but a journey.