Prayer Beads Trivia Quiz

Answer: False

Though they are not typically associated with the Lutheran religion, prayer beads or rosaries are used in the discipline of prayer.

Martin Lönnebo, a Lutheran emeritus bishop from Sweden, designed an eighteen bead rosary which he called "Frälsarkransen" (The Wreath of Christ). This rosary is called "Kristuskransen" in Norway and Denmark and celebrates the silence of prayer along with individual prayers.

Answer: False

The materials used in making prayer beads will vary based upon individual belief systems and personal preference. There are those from many different religions, who prefer their prayer beads be made from the healing stones. Others prefer bodhi seed, wood, raksha seed, ivory, ceramics, ox bone or even human skull bone. The bead shape can take almost any form from round to square or flower shaped to the shape of a skull.

Just as the number of beads can vary, variety exists for the style, color, and material composition. Differences in all prayer beads exist cross-culturally.

Answer: 59 beads

A standard Catholic rosary is made up of five 10-bead sections called decades, which are often referred to as the "Hail Marys." The decades are separated by single beads called the "Our Fathers" or "Paters." These 54 beads form a circle. From this circle, there is a "drop" that consists of five more beads, the middle three beads being "Hail Marys" with one "Our Father" on either side.

At the end of the drop, there is usually a crucifix or cross; however, the pendant can easily accommodate personal preference.

Answer: straight rope of prayer beads

A Pater Noster is a straight rope of beads that does not form a circle or necklace-like loop, as does the rosary. On one end, there is a cross and the other holds a tassel. Typically, the Pater Noster is a knotted counter with groups of knots separated by larger beads. Eastern monastics first introduced the prayer rope to St. Dominic, who made changes resulting in the Roman Catholic Dominican Rosary.

Answer: mala

Generally, there are 108 beads on a set of Tibetan Buddhist mala. Monks usually have 108-bead malas, where the lay person may have a set with less beads. The difference in length is sometimes explained as the distance traveled while on the path to enlightenment. Rare and difficult to come by, malas can be made from the human skull bones of ex-practitioners.

Mola, mora and mrigal are fish.

Answer: Chotki

Similar to a Pater Noster, the prayer rosary used by Eastern Orthodox Christians and Eastern Catholics is referred to as a "Chotki" and consists of knotted wool. The number of knots vary from 25, 33, 50, 100 or up to 103 and are used to meditate upon a prayer called "The Jesus Prayer." The tying of these knots is a true art and is fascinating to watch.

Cobia, cisco and cuchia? You guessed it...more fish.

Answer: Japa Mala

The earliest known form of prayer bead is linked to Hinduism, where they are called Japa Mala. The word Japa refers to the repetition of a mantra (or deity name) with mala meaning garland. Typically, the mala consists of 109 beads. There are 108 prayer beads, though any number divisible by 9 is deemed appropriate. The final or 109th bead is called the bindu, stupa, sumeru or guru bead. Counting begins with the bead adjacent to the guru bead and continues around with each of the next 107 beads. If more repetitions are required, one reverses directions at the guru bead and does not cross over it.

Chimaera, candiru and bream are fish.

Answer: all of these names

Derived from the word "Supha," the word "Tesbih" (Tasbih or Misbaha) means rosary or prayer beads. "Supha" means to recite the glories of God or Allah. The Tesbih contains 99 beads which represent the ninety-nine names of the Islam God.

If 33 beads are used, the Tesbih is circled 3 times to obtain the required 99. "Süphanallah" (Praise be to God) is prayed for 33 beads and is followed by thirty-three recitations of "Elhümdülillah" (Glory be to God), which is then followed by 33 "Allahuekber" (God is most great). After these three groupings are complete, a final prayer is said, bringing the total number of prayers to 100, as the Koran has dictated.

Answer: Pagans and Neopagans

Neo-Paganism is so diverse a religion that it is difficult to list the different types of prayer beads that are used. Among them, one can find prayers for an "angelic rosary," a "runic rosary," a "Celtic goddess rosary" and a "Heathen Healer's rosary." Most of the world's religions use prayer beads within their spiritual practices, a long history that neo-pagans are rediscovering.

Answer: True

Prayer beads act as a marker for prayers and easily allow the devotee to count prayers while continuing to remain focused on the prayers being said. With the non-denominational prayer beads, greater freedom is allowed not only in the creation of the prayer beads, but in the development of the prayer process and the prayers themselves. Regardless of the difference in the various bead sets, it is clear that they assist and enhance the meditative or prayer process.