This set of Zeus prayer beads consists of three groups of twelve beads, to represent the Greek dodecatheon of twelve gods (there are many more than twelve Greek gods, but most cities had their own group of twelve) and the mythic division of the world into three realms--the sea, the heavens, and the underworld. Separating these sections are three hanging pendants, each a symbol representing the god:
Lightning - Zeus' weapon was the lightning bolt, which he hurled at those who deserved punishment. He created storms by shaking his aegis.
Eagle - The eagle was sacred to Zeus and was his companion; it stayed by his side and carried messages for him.
Scale - Justice was very much a concern of Zeus, punisher of the criminal and the oathbreaker.
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 29" (73.7cm) in circumference and can be worn if desired, although it is designed to be used in prayer and meditation, to decorate an altar or shrine, and/or to adorn a statue.
The beads come with a prayer to Zeus, written specifically to be used with this prayer bead design (you can, of course, use the beads with any prayers, or for any god or gods, that you choose or that resonate with you) and with a cotton muslin bag for storage.
