Tibetan Simhamukha Mala - Ghau with authentic thangka

Simhamukha Tibetan Mala, the Lion-Headed Ḍākinī – Ghau with Hand-Painted Thangka – Vajrayāna Protection Mala of Buffalo Horn, Hetian Jade, Antler, Tiger Tooth Dzi, and Acala.

Photos and video are contractual, this mala is a unique piece, you will receive exactly this mala.

This Simhamukha Tibetan mala is a ritual creation designed and hand-assembled by me.
It follows the tradition of Tibetan Buddhist malas, where each element has a precise function: recitation, protection, inner transformation, spiritual anchoring, and connection to the awakened forces of Vajrayāna.

A unique piece, this Tibetan mala was designed to house an authentic copper Buddhist ghau containing a miniature hand-painted thangka of Simhamukha, the lion-headed ḍākinī of Vajrayāna.

This Tibetan mala was conceived as a protection mala, a ritual mala, and a complete Buddhist talisman. Its symbolism is that of a portable mandala: transforming dark, instinctive, or chaotic forces into power for awakening, protection, and inner mastery.

Understand it as a Tibetan mala of passage and transmutation.

📿 Composition of this Simhamukha Tibetan Mala

As a certified gemologist from the National Gemological Institute of Paris, I personally select the natural materials used in my creations. This Tibetan mala is the result of composition, assembly, and intention, conceived as a complete spiritual piece.
Each element is chosen for its quality, aesthetic coherence, and symbolic power, to create a handmade mala that is both faithful to the spirit of Tibetan Buddhist traditions and deeply rooted in the spiritual universe of Obsidian Dragons.

Body of the mala strung on a traditional cord for mala making, braided in the five colors of the five Dhyani Buddhas.

108 natural buffalo horn beads
Bead dimensions: 7 mm long by 8 mm in diameter

2 counter beads of natural Hetian nephrite jade
Counter bead dimensions: 9 mm long by 10 mm in diameter

Central bead representing a dragon hand-carved from antler
Dragon bead diameter: 18 mm

Antler Guru bead
Dimensions: 25 mm long x 15 mm wide x 14 mm thick

Two traditional 925 silver counters, each composed of 10 beads:

one ending in a Tibetan bell 🔔

the other ending in a dorje / vajra ⚡

→ Union of wisdom and method, a fundamental principle of Vajrayāna Buddhism

An authentic "tiger tooth" Dzi, with patterns encircled in 925 silver
Dzi dimensions: 30 mm long by 14 mm in diameter

Representation of the head of Acala Buddha carved in antler
Dimensions: 11.70 mm long x 11 mm wide x 12 mm thick

The tiger tooth Dzi and Acala head each end with a traditional Buddhist tassel in five colors

Spacers made of copper and natural buffalo bone

Ghau of Simhamukha, the lion-headed ḍākinī of Vajrayāna:

Ghau body made of copper

Reverse depicting the eight auspicious signs of Buddhism ☸️

Ghau containing an authentic miniature thangka hand-painted by a master specialist in traditional thangka execution

Thangka depicting Simhamukha, the lion-headed ḍākinī of Vajrayāna

Paper bearing the mantras and prayers of the ḍākinī enclosed inside the ghau

Ghau dimensions: 63 mm long x 42 mm wide x 9 mm thick

Dimensions & weight of this Tibetan Mala

Total length of the Tibetan mala: 56 cm

Total weight: 129 grams

💎 Embroidered linen storage pouche, included with your Tibetan Mala.

🛕 An Artisanal Tibetan Mala – Exclusive Obsidian Dragons Creation

This Tibetan mala was entirely designed, assembled, and mounted by me, in a quest for balance between Tibetan Buddhist tradition, tantric symbolism, and artisanal excellence. Each element was chosen for its material quality, but also for its symbolic strength.

Unlike industrial malas, this artisanal mala was conceived as a Buddhist recitation mala, a Vajrayāna protection mala, a tantric transmutation mala, and a Buddhist talisman to be worn or placed on an altar. The Simhamukha ghau forms its secret heart.

📖 To go further

Discover our complete article on the meaning of malas, the traditions of the malakara, and the use of the Buddhist rosary in meditation on our blog: "All about the mala - Buddhist rosary"

🦁 Who is Simhamukha, the Lion-Headed Ḍākinī?

Simhamukha, whose name literally means "She who possesses the face of the lion," is a great wrathful ḍākinī of Vajrayāna Buddhism. She is recognizable by her lioness head, her terrifying expression, and her wild, flamboyant, untamed energy. In Tibetan tantric iconography, Simhamukha embodies a protective, sharp, and roaring wisdom, capable of dispelling obstacles, repelling negative influences, and transforming chaotic forces into awakening energy.

Simhamukha's lion head evokes the roar of the Dharma. This roar represents the word of truth that vanquishes illusion, fear, confusion, and hostile forces. Where the mind is overwhelmed by doubt, attachments, or troubled influences, Simhamukha appears as a force of cutting and protection.

Simhamukha is also a deeply feminine figure in Vajrayāna. As a ḍākinī, she represents a free, wild, untamed wisdom. She expresses a spiritual dimension that transcends ordinary forms of beauty or gentleness. Her wrathful power reminds us that awakening can also take the form of fire, a roar, a terrifying presence that cuts through ignorance and protects the inner path.

In this Simhamukha Tibetan mala, her presence dialogues with the other protective elements. Simhamukha is its central force: the lioness ḍākinī who roars against obstacles, protects the practitioner, and reminds us that all dark energy can be transformed into wisdom.

Wearing this Tibetan mala with Simhamukha ghau is therefore carrying a symbol of wrathful protection, spiritual courage, and inner transformation. It is placing oneself under the sign of a powerful ḍākinī, guardian of difficult passages, ally of purification practices, and figure of the untamed wisdom of Vajrayāna.

🔮🐉✨ Symbolic Explanations of the Elements Composing this Simhamukha Tibetan Mala

📿 Tibetan protection mala, Buddhist recitation mala, and Vajrayāna talisman for inner transmutation

This Tibetan mala is a condensation of tantric symbolism. Each element acts in synergy to create an object for practice, protection, and inner transformation.

This Tibetan mala is intended for recitation, protective meditation, spiritual grounding, and the work of transmuting obstacles. It accompanies purification practices, protection prayers, periods of transition, and moments when one wishes to regain strength, lucidity, and inner stability.

The five-colored cord

This Tibetan mala is strung on a traditional cord braided in the five colors of the five Dhyani Buddhas: blue, white, red, green, and yellow.

These five colors refer to the five Buddha families, the five directions, the five wisdoms, and the transformation of the five mental poisons. They form the invisible base of the mala, like a mandalic structure that connects each element to one another.

The five colors teach an essential truth of Vajrayāna: nothing is rejected, everything can be transformed into wisdom.

The 108 buffalo horn beads – Domesticated instinct

The 108 beads of this Tibetan mala refer to the traditional number of the Buddhist mala: recitation, purification, sacred repetition, discipline of the mind, and inner progress.

But here, the beads are made of natural buffalo horn, a dense, earthy, powerful material. The horn evokes animal strength, endurance, instinct, patience, the body, and raw matter. The buffalo is an animal of slow power, stability, and deep work.

In this Tibetan mala, the buffalo horn represents the instinctive part of the being: vital, heavy, sometimes dark forces, but capable of being channeled through practice.

Hetian nephrite jade – Noble balance at the heart of power

The two counter beads of natural Hetian nephrite jade bring an energy of balance and harmony.

Jade, in Asian spiritual traditions, is associated with purity, longevity, inner nobility, gentle protection, and stability of the heart. It tempers the power of more wrathful materials.

In this Tibetan mala, jade reminds us that protection should never become blind harshness. Wrathful force must remain just, balanced, noble, and held by wisdom.

Jade therefore harmonizes the fire of the mala. It stabilizes the practitioner and anchors power in a path of balance.

The antler dragon – The totemic axis of the mala

The central bead of this Tibetan mala represents a dragon hand-carved from antler.

The dragon is one of the great symbols of transformation. It represents vital breath, mutation, spiritual sovereignty, ascending power, and the circulation of invisible energies. It connects earth to sky, instinct to awakening, raw force to wisdom.

Antler adds a symbolism of shedding, regeneration, stripping away, and rebirth. The deer sheds its antlers, then sees them regrow. This material therefore naturally carries the idea of passage, renewal, and transformation.

In this Tibetan mala, the antler dragon becomes a totem of inner mutation.

It signifies: power is not born of rigidity, but of shedding. The inner dragon awakens after stripping away.

This element is deeply connected to the Obsidian Dragons universe: here, the dragon is a symbolic presence, a force of passage and elevation.

👉 To learn more about the role of the dragon in Feng Shui practice
I invite you to consult my rather comprehensive blog article on this subject, by clicking on the following link: 📎 The dragon in Feng Shui - Force and energy

The antler Guru bead – The threshold, the end, and the new beginning

The antler Guru bead marks the return point of the Tibetan mala. It represents the end of the recitation cycle, but also its recommencement.

After traversing the 108 beads, the practitioner returns to the Guru bead as one returns to the center, to the origin, to inner silence.

Made of antler, this bead reinforces the symbolism of impermanence and regeneration. It reminds us that all practice involves shedding: abandoning an old skin, leaving an illusion, crossing a fear, letting go of an attachment.

In this Tibetan mala, the Guru bead signifies that each mantra cycle is a symbolic death and a rebirth.

The 925 silver counters – Memory of practice and ritual vigilance

Two traditional 925 silver counters adorn this Tibetan mala.

One ends with a dorje, or vajra ⚡, symbol of the indestructible force of the awakened mind, method, active compassion, and tantric lightning.

The other ends with a Tibetan bell 🔔, symbol of wisdom, emptiness, deep listening, and transcendent knowledge.

Together, the dorje and bell express the fundamental balance of Vajrayāna Buddhism: the union of method and wisdom, compassion and emptiness, right action and ultimate knowledge.

👉 To delve deeper into the meaning of the dorje and Tibetan bell,
I invite you to read my dedicated article on these two essential objects of Vajrayāna Buddhism: 📎 How to Use the Dorje and Tibetan Bell in Buddhist Practice

The Tiger Tooth Dzi – Instinctive protection and offensive force

This Tibetan mala is adorned with an authentic "tiger tooth" Dzi, whose patterns are encircled in 925 silver.

The Tiger Tooth Dzi is traditionally associated with active protection, defensive force, courage, and the ability to repel hostile influences. Its symbolism evokes the tiger's bite, vigilance, defense of the threshold, and controlled instinctive power. Dynamic, almost warlike protection.

Symbolically, the tiger protects the threshold, bites obstacles, and gives the practitioner an inner defensive strength.

To learn more about Dzi beads and their history
consult my dedicated article by clicking on the following link :📎  The Dzis: Mysteries and Powers of Tibetan Beads

Acala in antler – The immovable fire that cuts through obstacles

The head of Acala Buddha, carved in antler, adds a very powerful wrathful dimension to this Tibetan mala.

Acala, the Immovable, is a great protective figure in esoteric Buddhism. He is associated with the fire that consumes ignorance, inner steadfastness, the destruction of obstacles, and the ability to remain stable in the heart of storms.

In this Tibetan mala, Acala acts as a guardian of the path. He prevents practice from scattering. He cuts through illusions, fears, attachments, and negative influences.

Antler adds to this presence the symbolism of shedding and transformation. Acala burns what prevents inner rebirth.

To better understand the profound symbolism of Acala Buddha,
discover my dedicated article :  🔗Acala, Chief of the Vidyarāja – The 5 Kings of Knowledge and Magical Buddhist Sciences

The five-colored tassels – Offering, breath, and radiance

The tiger tooth Dzi and the head of Acala each end with a traditional Buddhist tassel in five colors.

These tassels extend the symbolism of the main cord of the Tibetan mala. They evoke prayer flags, votive breaths, flames of blessing, and the radiance of practice.

They give the mala a dimension of offering and circulation. Energy radiates, expands, and diffuses into space.

Copper and Buffalo Bone – Vital Warmth and Memory of Impermanence

Copper brings a warm, solar, and conductive dimension. It symbolizes the circulation of energy, transmission, vitality, and inner warmth. In ritual objects, it gives an impression of life, movement, and resonance.

Natural buffalo bone recalls impermanence, death, stripping away, but also sublimated animal strength.

Copper and bone together create a deeply tantric opposition: vital warmth and memory of death, body energy and wisdom of impermanence.

The Simhamukha Ghau – Secret Heart of this Tibetan Mala

The Simhamukha ghau is the spiritual heart of this Tibetan mala.

Its copper body makes it a true ritual capsule, a portable sacred house, a small symbolic reliquary.

In this Tibetan mala, the Simhamukha ghau acts as a secret Buddhist amulet. The paper bearing the ḍākinī's mantras and prayers, enclosed within the ghau, reinforces the talismanic dimension of this piece.

At the center of the mala resides a protective presence: a guardian ḍākinī, an energy of fire, roar, and transformation.

The Reverse of the Ghau – The Eight Auspicious Signs of Buddhism

The reverse of the Tibetan ghau depicts the eight auspicious signs of Buddhism, called Ashtamangala.

These eight symbols — the conch shell, the parasol, the lotus, the golden fish, the Dharma wheel, the vase, the victory banner, and the endless knot — are associated with blessing, protection, spiritual prosperity, and good omen.

In this Tibetan mala, their presence balances the wrathful strength of Simhamukha.

👉 To delve deeper into the meaning of the eight auspicious signs of Buddhism,
I invite you to read my dedicated article: 📎 The eight sacred signs and their protective power.

A Tibetan Mala of Wrathful Transmutation

Taken as a whole, this Tibetan mala tells a very precise spiritual path.

The buffalo horn represents instinctive, earthly, and dense strength.