108 Bead Mala Necklaces and Chakra Jewelry: The Meaning and How to Use Them
Why 108? What are the chakras? And how do you actually use a mala? A grounded guide to the world's oldest form of prayer jewellery.
The mala necklace is one of the oldest pieces of jewellery still worn the same way it was 3,000 years ago. If you have ever seen someone in yoga clothes wearing a long strand of wooden or stone beads with a tassel at the bottom, that is a mala. It is not decoration. It is a tool.
What Is a Mala?
A mala is a string of prayer beads used across Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh traditions to count mantras during meditation. The word mala is Sanskrit for garland. Traditional malas have 108 beads, plus one larger guru bead at the top that marks the beginning and end of a cycle.
The bead material carries meaning too. Rudraksha seeds are used in Hindu practice. Sandalwood is common in Buddhist malas. In the modern world, mala makers use gemstones and crystals, each chosen for the energy they are said to bring: rose quartz for love, tiger's eye for courage, amethyst for clarity.
Why 108?
The number 108 is sacred across dharmic traditions, and there are many overlapping reasons why:
- 108 is the number of Upanishads in Hindu sacred literature.
- In Buddhism, there are said to be 108 defilements or worldly desires that a practitioner works to release.
- Ancient astronomers observed that the distance between the Earth and the Sun is roughly 108 times the Sun's diameter, and the distance between the Earth and the Moon is roughly 108 times the Moon's diameter.
- The human body is said to have 108 energy lines converging at the heart.
- Mathematically, 1 + 0 + 8 = 9, considered a number of completion.
You do not need to believe every one of these to feel the weight of the number. It has been chosen across traditions for so long that using it now connects you to that lineage whether you name it or not.
What Are the 7 Chakras?
Chakras are energy centres in the body, described in ancient Indian texts. There are seven main ones, each associated with a colour, a location, and a domain of life:
- Root (Muladhara). Base of the spine. Red. Safety, grounding, survival.
- Sacral (Svadhisthana). Lower abdomen. Orange. Creativity, sensuality, emotion.
- Solar Plexus (Manipura). Upper abdomen. Yellow. Willpower, confidence, identity.
- Heart (Anahata). Chest. Green. Love, compassion, connection.
- Throat (Vishuddha). Throat. Blue. Truth, communication, expression.
- Third Eye (Ajna). Between eyebrows. Indigo. Intuition, wisdom, perception.
- Crown (Sahasrara). Top of head. Violet. Spiritual connection, higher consciousness.
Chakra jewellery uses stones of the corresponding colour to bring attention and energy to each centre. A seven-chakra necklace typically has one stone for each, arranged in order from top to bottom.
How to Use a Mala
The traditional method is called japa meditation:
- Hold the mala in your right hand, draped over the middle finger.
- Start at the bead next to the guru bead. Do not use the thumb to count on the guru bead itself.
- Use your thumb to pull each bead toward you as you say (aloud or silently) your mantra. Om is the classic beginner mantra, but any short phrase or intention works.
- Move through all 108 beads. If you want to continue, do not cross the guru bead. Turn the mala around and go back in the opposite direction.
Even wearing the mala without meditating creates a subtle physical reminder of intention throughout the day.
Chakra Jewellery Beyond the Mala
You do not need to sit for full meditation to work with chakra energy. A single chakra bracelet, a stone chosen for the energy centre you want to strengthen, or a seven-chakra necklace worn under a shirt all carry the same principle: keep the intention on your body.
Our Favourite Pieces
7 Chakra Natural Gemstone Mala Tassel Necklace. This is a proper 108-bead mala with one stone per chakra plus tiger's eye, quartz, and howlite. Suitable for actual meditation or everyday wear.
Hematite 108 Bead Knotted Mala Necklace. Traditional knotted style, grounding hematite. The one to reach for when you want stability.
Lotus Chakra Mandala Pendant. For people who want the chakra symbolism in a smaller, more daily piece.
See the full sacred collection →
A Note on Respect
These are living traditions. Millions of people around the world still practice mala meditation and chakra work as part of their faith, not as an aesthetic. Wearing this jewellery is welcome across most of these traditions, especially when the wearer takes the meaning seriously. Learn a little of the story. Choose your stones with care. That is all it takes.