Gau / Pendant / Prayer Box
Gau is a small prayer box worn as a pendant by Buddhists as portable shrines where prayers and sacred relics are kept and used during their travel to hold their sacred deity inside. Now, Gau or Prayer Box pendants are often used as jewelry or personal adornment. They are used to carry prayers or prayer concerns photos, poems, small items, or memories. Gau pendants can carry your prayers near to your heart throughout the day. They are jewelry that has a history. The Gau opens to a concealed inner space, and is traditionally used by Tibetan Buddhists to hold a picture of their favorite deity or Lama, a folded up scroll of sacred mantras, special herbs or sacred relics. The Gau is used as an amulet to help the wearer ward off negative energy and attract blessings. A Gau is also used as a portable shrine and is worn on a cord around the neck and hung close to the heart.
These Gaus are mostly made of silver; however, the artisans also use copper, brass, gold, and other metals. Gau often has intricate designs of deities, auspicious symbols, and mantras inscribed on their outer and inner surface Gau is often decorated by semi-precious gemstones which have various healing effects on the wearer. Turquoise, considered by many as a master healing stone, Lapis Lazuli, and Coral are especially popular in Gau or Prayer Box designs for their beauty and healing properties. Other gemstones used by the craftsman include amber, carnelian, amethyst, malachite, onyx, and topaz.
About this Ritual item
This beautiful Gau or Prayer Box is made of Silver and has intricate carvings decorated with Turquoise, Coral and other semi-precious stones. This beautiful Gau or Prayer Box is hand-made by the master artisans of Patan, Nepal who have been in the business for generations.
