Magatama beads were historically comma shaped (or, today, with an off centre
hole); these beads first appeared in Japan and Korea from the end of Neolithic
period and continuing into the Bronze Age and so go back in history a long
way indeed; the first ones were precious gemstones carved into a comma shape
(for instance, carved in Jade). These beads are often found in ancient mounded
graves as precious offerings to gods, and they therefore obviously had important
religious and social significance. It is believed that magatama were popularly
worn as jewels or used as decoration for weapons; it is variously claimed
this type of bead represents water drops, sprouting seeds, flames, or the
embryo (and possibly many other symbolic meanings), in addition to their ancient
religious meanings (in terms of the beads being carved in stone as mentioned
previously). Eventually, in religious terms, over time, the beads were later
mostly replaced by Buddhist prayer beads. In contemporary Japan, the magatama
beads' shape is an accepted representation of the human spirit and the ancient
representation (of a comma shaped bead) is suggested to be one of the the
origins of the Yin-Yang Symbol; our Magatama beads are made of glass and are
made in Japan, of course.
There are approximately 300 beads in 25 grammes.
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