{"product_id":"ancient-four-leaf-bodhi-dzi-pitch-black-bold-cream-ac-070625-flb3","title":"Four Leaf Bodhi Dzi, Pitch-Black Ground, 47.6×12.6mm, Bold Cream-White Motif, Cream-Dominant Connector Face (Ac-070625-FLB3)","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eWe never retouch our photos. What you see is exactly what you will receive.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eOf the three Four Leaf Bodhi dzi in this collection, this one has the highest contrast — the darkest ground and the brightest cream-white, and the connector face where most dzi show dark ground shows something different here: a field that is almost entirely cream.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThat connector face — visible in Images 3 and 5 — is one of the most distinctive features of this bead. On most dzi, rotating 90° reveals a connector face where the dark ground dominates and cream-white bands cross through it. On this bead the proportion is inverted: the connector face is predominantly a bright cream-white field, with the dark grid-cross lines running through it as the dividers rather than the dominant element. The warm honey-brown warmth at the centre of those dark lines — the natural agate visible through the etching — adds a tertiary tone to a face that otherwise reads as a strong cream-white statement. This inversion of the usual dark-to-cream ratio gives the bead a different visual rhythm at every quarter turn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe lateral faces carry the Four Leaf Bodhi composition at maximum graphic intensity. Two bodhi leaf forms per face, four across the full circumference: each leaf is a cream-white pointed-oval heart-form curve with a warm honey-brown interior field and a small dark triangular void at the centre — the characteristic teardrop-and-heart rendering of the bodhi leaf in dzi tradition. The pitch-black ground against which these leaves sit is confirmed from every white-background photograph as fully pitch-black — not dark brown, not grey-brown, but the absolute dark that the acid-etching process achieves at its most complete. Against that ground the bold cream-white motif lines are as high-contrast as any dzi in this collection, the leaf forms reading with the clarity and definition of marks made on a fresh surface rather than a five-hundred-year-old one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe central divider between the two leaves on each face is a paired set of cream-white vertical stripe bands with a warm honey-brown centre line — the structural element that both separates the leaves and anchors the composition. The leaves open outward from this central divider toward the respective end tips, creating the same outward-opening quality visible across the Four Leaf Bodhi family. The end caps at both poles are warm honey-brown to sandy-tan — the natural agate showing through at the extreme tips where the pitch-black acid treatment reaches its limit. Both drill holes are small, round, and well-centred, with warm sandy-tan interiors visible in Images 6 and 7.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe surface throughout is semi-gloss to gloss — cleaner and more uniform than the matte-granular connector faces of \u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/ancient-four-leaf-bodhi-dzi-ac-061826-flb2\"\u003eAc-061826-FLB2\u003c\/a\u003e, which at 800–1,000 years shows pronounced weathering on its connector faces. This bead at 500–800 years retains more surface gloss and presents a more preserved surface overall, though the pitch-black ground and the age of the etching are consistent with its date range. No chips, cracks, medicine digs, or surface damage are present. No bloodspot inclusions are detected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThis is the second-oldest of three Four Leaf Bodhi dzi in this collection. \u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/antique-four-leaf-bodhi-dzi-at-101624-flb\"\u003eAt-101624-FLB\u003c\/a\u003e is the youngest — antique, 200+ years, honey-brown agate, 35.7×12.1mm. \u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/ancient-four-leaf-bodhi-dzi-ac-061826-flb2\"\u003eAc-061826-FLB2\u003c\/a\u003e is the oldest — 800–1,000 years, cool dark grey-brown ground, with matte-granular connector face weathering and smaller dimensions. Ac-070625-FLB3 sits between them in age and above them both in physical size — the largest of the three at 47.6×12.6mm, and the one with the most visually dramatic contrast between its pitch-black ground and its bold cream-white motif.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Four Leaf Bodhi Motif 四葉菩提天珠\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe bodhi leaf (菩提葉, pútí yè) carries the most specific narrative of any plant symbol in the Buddhist tradition — it is the leaf of the Ficus religiosa, the tree under which Shakyamuni Buddha sat when he achieved full enlightenment (菩提, pútí: awakening, enlightenment). The moment of the Buddha's awakening beneath that tree is the pivot point of the entire Buddhist tradition, and the leaf of that tree has been understood ever since as a symbol of the possibility of awakening available to any being, under any circumstances. Four such leaves distributed around the full circumference of a dzi bead represents that awakening available in all four directions simultaneously — a field of clarity with no gap and no unawakened angle. Each pair of leaves on this bead opens outward from the centre toward a different end of the bead, so that however you hold it, two leaves are always in the act of opening — the motif perpetually becoming rather than having become, perpetually pointing outward rather than resting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpec Block\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMotif:\u003c\/strong\u003e Four Leaf Bodhi 四葉菩提天珠 (sì yè pútí tiānzhū); two bodhi leaf forms per lateral face, four total; each leaf: cream-white pointed-oval heart-form outer curve with warm honey-brown interior and dark triangular\/heart-shaped central void; leaves open outward from central paired stripe divider with honey-brown centre line; connector faces: predominantly cream-white field with dark T-bar grid-cross dividers — inverted proportion from standard connector face\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e 47.6mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12.6mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForm:\u003c\/strong\u003e Elongated fusiform; round cross-section; symmetrically tapered at both ends; small well-centred drill holes at both tips\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pitch-black agate ground throughout body; warm honey-brown to sandy-tan end caps; warm sandy-tan drill hole interiors; bright bold cream-white acid-etched motif lines with warm honey-brown interior zones within leaf forms; semi-gloss to gloss surface\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge Estimate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 500–800 years\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e No chips, cracks, medicine digs, or rework; semi-gloss to gloss surface well preserved; cream-white motif lines bold and well-defined throughout\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloodspots:\u003c\/strong\u003e None detected\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct ID:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ac-070625-FLB3\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollection:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/collections\/ancient-dzi-beads\"\u003eAncient Dzi Beads\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/collections\/bodhi-dzi\"\u003eBodhi Dzi\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe other Four Leaf Bodhi dzi in this collection, and related ancient pieces:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/ancient-four-leaf-bodhi-dzi-ac-061826-flb2\"\u003eAc-061826-FLB2 — Ancient Four Leaf Bodhi Dzi\u003c\/a\u003e — the oldest FLB in the collection; 800–1,000 years; cool dark grey-brown ground; matte-granular connector faces; 46.9×11.9mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/antique-four-leaf-bodhi-dzi-at-101624-flb\"\u003eAt-101624-FLB — Antique Four Leaf Bodhi Dzi\u003c\/a\u003e — the youngest FLB; 200+ years; honey-brown agate; 35.7×12.1mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/ancient-four-eye-dzi-ac-080425-4e\"\u003eAc-080425-4E — Ancient Four Eye Dzi\u003c\/a\u003e — ancient period; pitch-black compatible ground; square-framed eyes; 800–1,000 years; 49.5×12.6mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/ancient-three-eye-dzi-ac-030525-3e\"\u003eAc-030525-3E — Ancient Three Eye Dzi\u003c\/a\u003e — ancient period; 500–700 years; 50.8×12.9mm; blue-toned third eye\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFurther Reading\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/blogs\/news\/what-are-dzi-beads\"\u003eWhat Are Dzi Beads? Origins, Meaning \u0026amp; Collecting Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/blogs\/understanding-buddhism\/the-bodhi-tree-and-the-path-to-enlightenment\"\u003eThe Bodhi Tree and the Path to Enlightenment\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003ePitch-black ground, cream-white leaves, five hundred years of clarity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eWe never retouch our photos. What you see is exactly what you will receive.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e📷 We never retouch our photos. Every bead is photographed exactly as it is. What you see is what you receive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e#FourLeafBodhiDzi #四葉菩提天珠 #AncientDziBead #TibetanDzi #PitchBlackDzi #BodhiDzi #DziCollector #AncientDziShop #BoldCreamWhite #Ac070625FLB3 #EnlightenmentDzi #AncientBeads #TibetanAntiques #RareDzi #BodhiLeaf\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ancient Dzi Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46479806595238,"sku":null,"price":9000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0979\/7198\/files\/AncientTibetanFourLeafBodhiDziofabout500years_1_371540c5-c6bc-4db4-9799-1ec99faeefee.jpg?v=1781754297","url":"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/ancient-four-leaf-bodhi-dzi-pitch-black-bold-cream-ac-070625-flb3","provider":"Ancient Dzi Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}