| The aim of this article is to provide the reader with | | | | Others use them to hold pictures of loved ones |
| information about Ghao (Gau) boxes (prayer boxes) | | | | which can be passed down from generation to |
| which are often found in the form of a handcrafted | | | | generation and often hold huge sentimental value for |
| silver locket. | | | | the recipient. |
| Where do Ghao boxes originate from? | | | | Many prayer boxes have some form of gemstone |
| Although used by many religions and faiths, it is | | | | incorporated into the design, a common one being a |
| believed that Gau boxes originate from the Buddhist | | | | turquoise gemstone. The gemstone doesn't have any |
| or Hindu faith. However, many people wear them | | | | particular religious significance but can add colour and |
| today not for religious purposes but as a silver locket | | | | beauty to the Ghao box. Often someone will buy a |
| purely for their aesthetic appeal. | | | | silver locket which contains the gemstone associated |
| What are Ghao boxes commonly used for? | | | | with the month of their birth to personalise the |
| In religious circles, Ghao boxes are used to aid the | | | | prayer box. |
| wearer in focussing his/her mind in prayer. This is | | | | However, often the prayer box will contain no |
| done by having a prayer written on a small piece of | | | | gemstone at all and will be simply handcrafted as a |
| paper and then put and sealed inside the prayer box. | | | | plain silver locket inscribed with meaningful words or |
| The Ghao box is sometimes also used to hold small | | | | symbols. |
| religious objects. | | | | What are Ghao boxes usually made of? |
| Religious symbolism | | | | Ghao boxes can be made from a range of different |
| The images of important religious teachers or deities | | | | materials and can be found in a range of prices. They |
| are often crafted into the Ghao box, for example, | | | | are most commonly made from sterling silver, silver, |
| Buddha in Buddhist Gau boxes. Important religious | | | | gold, brass, copper or lightweight materials. Sterling |
| symbols are often incorporated into the Ghao box. In | | | | silver is certainly the most common and, as |
| Buddhism the Om symbol, or the Tibetan prayer | | | | mentioned above, this can often include a gemstone |
| wheel are commonly found on the prayer box. | | | | such as turquoise. |
| Ghao boxes as a non religious silver locket | | | | Prayer boxes are generally considered to be sacred |
| Ghao boxes are being increasingly worn by people | | | | by their wearers and, therefore, tend to be made |
| who don't hold any particular religious beliefs and who | | | | from a precious metal like silver (or sometimes gold). |
| use them as jewelry pendants. The prayer box is | | | | Whether you are after something to wear as a |
| often added to a necklace or bracelet and makes for | | | | symbol of your religious beliefs, a source of inspiration |
| an attractive centre piece to these types of jewelry. | | | | or just a beautiful piece of jewelry, a Ghao box may |
| Many non religious users of Ghao boxes hold | | | | be just what you are looking for. |
| inspirational quotes or poems within their prayer box. | | | | |