Phurba pendant #2

The phurba is a ritual triangular knife common in vast territories of Asia, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia, China, Japan and others. There is no exact data on the duration of the use of phurba for ritual purposes, but according to references in the annals and finds from excavations it can be established that is has been used at least 3500 years.  

There are multiple ways in which the phurba is used. In many traditions it is used during ritual actions for its protective qualities, keeping the space safe from distortion by dark spirits and protecting the souls of the participants from getting lost. For this reason, before going into deep trance, Nepalese Orthodox Shamans (Jakri) stick the phurba into the ground on their left side to keep dark spirits at a distance.  

Also the phurba can be used as an attribute for healing, using it to expel evil spirits and entities from the human body and as a tool for directing energy and giving blessings.

In the appearance of a phurba there’s a lot of symbolism to be seen. Lengthwise it symbolizes the axis of the world and the three levels of Middleworld, Upperworld and Underworld can be recognized. The three facets of the faces and the blade symbolize all kinds of trinities, like in time (past, present, future) or state (creation, preservation, destruction).

The handle shows the guardian of this phurba and its owner, the three faced Vajrakilaya (or Dorje Phurba), a wrathful form of the Buddha Vajrasattva. The triangular blade is held by the watermonster Makara, symbolizing fierce activity.

These phurba pendants stand out for their exceptional red color, which is a resin-based polymer mimicking the appearance of cinnaber. Real cinnaber is an ore and a crystal that gets its bright red color from the toxic element mercury. This toxicity was already understood in Roman times, so ever since then the use of real cinnaber as a pigment has been more and more replaced by other, similiar materials.

Due to its amazing vermillion color, since ancient times cinnaber has been popular in many different countries and traditions for multiple uses. For example as a pigment in cosmetics, paint, decorative Chinese lacquerware and resin jewelry. 

The name 'cinnaber' is said to derive from an Eastern Indian phrase meaning 'dragon's blood'. Since dragons were seen as very powerful and surely not to be messed with, but for the most part helpful, beneficial creatures, here's another reason why cinnaber was such a beloved ingredient and also has a long history in ritual uses, such as in blessings, burials and writing on oracle bones.

These bright red phurba pendants can be used as a personal protective amulet pendant, but also as a fully functional ritual attribute in handy travel-size.

These pendants are made in Tibet. They are approximately 5 centimeters long (measured including the eyelet) and weigh 9 grams. Since they are handmade, some minor variations in appearance might occur. We will handpick one at random for you.

Sold per piece.