Hainan — Bodhi Seed Bracelet, Star & Moon

The seed has been worn by practitioners for over a thousand years. It has not changed.

Star and moon bodhi (Caesalpinia bonduc) is named for the pattern on its surface: a pale circular mark — the moon — surrounded by smaller dots — the stars — visible on each seed. The seeds are collected from coastal and island forests across Southeast Asia and southern China, with Hainan Island producing a variety considered among the finest: dense, heavy for its size, with a surface that develops a deep reddish-brown patina through handling. The pattern becomes more defined as the seed ages.

Hainan Island sits at the southern edge of China, separated from the mainland by the Qiongzhou Strait. The island’s isolation produced distinct ecosystems — and distinct varieties of plants used in Buddhist practice across southern China and Southeast Asia. The bodhi seed tradition connects Hainan to a network of practice that runs from Sri Lanka to Japan, carried by monks who moved between monasteries and brought their beads with them.

This bracelet is available in two sizes: a larger diameter for wider wrists (Men’s) and a smaller diameter for narrower wrists (Women’s). The star-moon pattern is clear on each bead regardless of size. The surface is unfinished, allowing the natural patina process to begin from the first day of wear. The patina that develops will be specific to the person who wears it.

Origin: Hainan Island, China
Material: Natural star-moon bodhi seed
Type: Bracelet

One piece only per size. What you see is what ships.