The Rosary...

Rosary beads come in all shapes, colors, sizes and quality. Some rosaries are strung with pearl, crystal, wood and even plastic. But where did the ritual of the rosary come from? And what exactly is the significance of rosary beads?

The rosary in simplest terms is a tool used to aid prayer and meditation. Rosary literally means ‘a crown (or garland) of Roses’. The beads of a rosary count the prayers as they are recited out loud or in the mind. Relying on the rosary beads to keep track of how many times you’ve said a particular prayer allows you to clear your mind and meditate on your prayer more effectively.

Though it is most commonly recognized as a symbol of Catholicism in the western countries, other religions including Buddhism, Hinduism, Paganism and Islam employ rosary bead traditions as well.

History of Rosary Beads

The earliest records of the practice of counting prayers among religions of Western culture can be traced to the 11th and 12th centuries. It is believed that people carried small stones or pebbles in their pockets with which to count prayers. 

However, there is evidence that Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam all had traditions of prayer counting that predate this pebble counting, and these faiths had incorporated a string of beads for this counting.

There is some belief that the word “rosary” has its origins in the travels of Romans to India many centuries ago. The term “bead” seems to derive from the Saxon word “bede,” meaning prayer.

Roman Catholic Rosary

In the Roman Catholic tradition, the term rosary refers to both the string of beads and the prayer said using that string of beads.

To pray the rosary is to recite specific prayers corresponding with particular beads on the string. A rosary is a made up of a crucifix, one larger bead, three small beads, another larger bead and then a medal. After the medal comes a larger bead again, followed by a group of 10 smaller beads.

Around the rosary chain there are five sets of each of these beads one large, 10 small. The larger bead is separated from the smaller beads, signifying the different prayers recited while holding the bead. These sets – one bead followed by a group of 10 – are called decades.

The basic praying of the rosary consists of the Apostle’s Creed prayed while holding the crucifix in one’s hand followed by an Our Father while holding the single, larger bead, then a prayer of the Hail Mary for each smaller bead in the set of 10.

A more complex Hail Mary is recited while holding the medal. The prayers are recited around the whole of the rosary with each decade signifying a meditation on one of the mysteries of Redemption.

The thoughts during the prayer are directed to focus on a different mystery for each decade that corresponds with a specific time of year. These mysteries represent the significant events in the life of Jesus Christ.

The rosary is often used as a guide for other Catholic prayers. These prayers are related to challenges or celebrations in the life of one praying the rosary or on behalf of another for whom the prayers are said.

The history of the rosary in Catholicism can be traced back to the time of St. Dominic in the south of France in the early 1200s. It is said that St. Dominic was shown a string of beads by the Virgin Mary and instructed to preach the rosary among his people to battle against sin. From that time the rosary then spread slowly throughout Catholicism with Pope Leo XIII officially attributing the rosary’s beginnings to St Dominic.

Eastern Orthodox Chotki

Eastern and Orthodox Catholics use a prayer rope or a string of beads called the chotki (Russian) or komboskini (Greek). Originally there was a woolen rope tied in 33, 50 or 100 knots, ending in either a cross or a tassel. For each knot or bead the Jesus Prayer was recited. This prayer rope tradition seems to have originated among the early monks of the faith.

Anglican and Episcopal Rosary

In the Anglican and Episcopal Christian faiths rosaries are of more recent usage. These rosary beads are a mix of the Roman Catholic rosary and the Orthodox chotki. The Anglican rosary is made up of four sets of seven beads separated into groups called weeks.

The number seven represents the seven days of creation cited in the Bible and the seven sacraments of the church. The weeks represent the four points of both the cross and the compass as well as the four seasons of the year. The rosary utilizes a cross and beads made from wood, glass or stone. Which prayers to recite is left to the devotee to choose as they see fit.

Buddhist and Hindu Mala

In the Buddhist and Hindu traditions the beads are called mala. They consist of 108 beads that represent the 108 human passions or sins that must be overcome in order to reach enlightenment. A wrist mala is made with just 27 beads and has recently become a fashionable piece of jewelry in Western cultures. Each mala also has one larger guru bead, a spacer bead and ends with a tassel.

Malas are commonly made from wood, preferably from sandalwood or the wood of the sacred Bodhi Tree. In Tibet the most valued strands are made from the bones of holy men or lamas.

The cord that connects the beads symbolizes the bloodline of the Buddha. The mala counts the repetition of a mantra or chant so attention can be paid to the mantra’s meaning. The mantra is a series of sacred Sanskrit sounds chosen either by a teacher or by the devotee.

A mantra should focus on the reason for wanting to do the practice.  If it is done in the spirit of helping all humanity, it is then believed to have stronger benefits for all. A common mantra is “Om Mani Padme Hum” which translates to: “Hail to the jewel in the Lotus.” The jewel represents the attainment of full enlightenment. Each recitation should complete one entire round of the mala.

With a wrist mala, this involves completing the circle four times. There are varying ways to use the mala, some requiring only the right hand with the mala draped over the middle finger, others allowing either right or left and any finger to move the beads along.

Islamic Subhah

In Islam a string of 100, 33 or 25 beads – variously referred to as subhah, tasbi, tasbih or misbaha – is used in a prayer recitation called dhikr.  This is a prayer ritual of remembrance of God. In it, the devotee recites the various names for God or a series of professions of God’s greatness.

Rosary beads or prayer beads of many religions have been around for centuries in various forms. The basic use throughout history has been as a method for keeping the mind focused on the meaning of the prayers or mantras being recited.

Even the quickest search on the Web will produce a host of varieties of rosary beads from the most humble wooden beads to gorgeous precious stones.  So whatever your faith or interest, there may be a rosary that is right for you, for prayer, meditation or only just as a beautiful decoration.

Courtesy : Lifescript.com