This set of Dike (Justice) pocket prayer beads consists of twelve beads, representing the Greek dodecatheon of twelve gods; there are many more than twelve Greek gods, but most cities had their own group of twelve. Joining the string is a pendant, a symbol representing the goddess: the image of the goddess herself, blindfolded and bearing the scale and the sword.
With her sister goddesses, Eirene (Peace) and Eunomia (Good Order), Dike comprised the Seasons or Hours (Horai).
(Note that both the goddess Themis and her daughter Dike, or Justice, were bearers of the scale and sword. The well-known image of "Blind Justice" is generally considered to depict Dike rather than Themis; Themis, also a goddess of prophecy and oracles, is in no way blind. While Themis was a goddess of universal or divine law, Dike concerned herself with mortal law and justice as well.)
It is made with 10mm deep blue fire-polished Czech glass beads, separated by silver-toned metal spacer beads, and glass seed beads to provide a comfortable transition from one bead to the next and to make the piece lightweight, supple, and easy to handle. The string itself is approximately 11" (28cm) in circumference and is designed to be used in prayer and meditation, to decorate an altar or shrine, and/or to adorn a statue. The small size makes it easy to keep on hand in a drawer, a purse, or a pocket.
The beads come with a prayer to Dike, written specifically to be used with this prayer bead design, and with a cotton muslin bag for storage.
You can, of course, use the beads with any prayers, or for any god or gods, that you choose or that resonate with you.
