Prayer Wheel
ClassificationsCeremonial or Ritual Objects
Date19th to 20th Century
Made AtTibet Autonomous Region, China, Asia
MediumBronze, brass, conch shell, wood and paper
DimensionsAssembled: 11 × 3 1/2 × 3 in. (27.9 × 8.9 × 7.6 cm)
Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih
Object number2021.8.12a-e
DescriptionThis object is a Tibetan prayer wheel. These handheld tools are signatures of Buddhist rituals which have been performed for centuries. Inside the wheel, a Buddhist scripture of the Six Sacred Words (on mani padme hum) is rolled up and stored. It its considered that one clockwise turn of these wheels served as one chant of the Six Sacred Words, and merits could be accumulated through the repetitions of the mantra, which are calculated through the use of Tibetan mala prayer beads. The small pendant hanging from a chain attached to the wheel serves as a counterweight which facilitated the spinning of the drum. The conch shell fragment beneath the drum is worn down over time. When it needs to be replaced the shell is repurposed as mala beads.On View
Not on viewCollections
19th to 20th Century
20th Century
20th Century
19th to 20th Century
20th Century
20th Century
19th to 20th Century
19th to 20th Century
19th to 20th Century
19th to 20th Century
19th to 20th Century
19th to 20th Century