Alpaca metal gau pendant Green Tara

A gau (also spelled Ghau or Gao) is a type of traditional Tibetan Buddhist small box, locket or frame that is used as a portable reliquary, often so small that it can be worn as personal jewelry.

A gau usually holds the image of a personal beloved deity, in the form of a picture or small figurine. To this image all kinds of other sacred objects and blessed items can be added, such as fragments of prayer scarves and mantra scrolls, charms and relics.

When worn as personal jewelry, the gau is often worn very close to the heart, where it serves as a daily source of protection and blessing.

This gau holds the image of Green Tara, printed on a piece of thick, durable nylon fabric. Green Tara is one of the most important, dynamic and highly-revered manifestations of the buddhist deity Tara, the female counterpart of the boddhisattva Avalokiteshvara. One of the stories about her origin tells how she was born from his stream of tears when he looked down from heaven and saw the increasing sufferings of humanity. One of Green Tara’s main goals is thus to relieve sufferings and aid human beings to achieve enlightenment.

Green Tara is often depicted sitting in half-lotus position, with her right leg lowered forward to the ground, ready to immediately jump up and go to the aid of someone calling her. She is a symbol of instant help, and can be called upon in critical situations where urgent assistance is needed. The only thing required to do, is to ask her assistance from an open and honest heart.

This gau has been made of alpaca metal, decorated with images of the Tibetan Buddhist Eight Auspicious Symbols and some (faux) gemstone cabochons, of which unfortunately the top one has gone missing, as can be seen on the pictures. The backside is stamped with the kalachakra symbol and the inside with the symbol of the double dorje. 

Sizes; approximately 63 millimeters high (measured without the eyelet) en 53 millimeters wide. Weight is 47 grams. 

Only one available.