Category: Ritual Objects | Tradition: Vajrayana Buddhism and Bön | Origin: Nepal, India, and Tibet
A phurba is made from several materials, and the choice depends on its purpose, its design and the tradition of the maker. Metal is the most common: iron and brass are typical, with bronze and copper also used, and the most prized phurbas are said to be made of iron from meteorites. Many phurbas are carved from wood such as sandalwood, and others are made of crystal, bone, horn or clay. Gilding, painted details and inlays of coral and turquoise are added for decoration. The material changes how a phurba looks, feels and ages, but its meaning, as a ritual symbol of transformation, stays the same. This guide explains each material, shows how they compare, and helps you choose and care for a phurba with confidence.
The Parts of a Phurba and Their Materials
A phurba is made of three main parts, and each may use a different material.
• Top ornament: the crowned deity faces and the half vajra, usually brass, copper or another copper alloy, often gilded, and sometimes carved from wood.
• Handle: the section with bands of ornament, vajra motifs, lotus petals and a knot, usually brass, bronze or copper, and sometimes with inlays of coral or turquoise.
• Blade: the three-sided blade, traditionally iron, or sometimes brass or another metal, and carved wood or crystal in other forms.
In many phurbas, the top and the handle are made of one material and the blade of another, so a single piece can combine iron with brass or gilt copper.
Why Metal Is the Traditional Choice
Metal has long been the main material for phurbas, in particular iron and brass, which is the case for most traditional Tibetan metal ritual implements. Metal is strong and durable, and it takes fine casting, carving and engraving well, so the deity faces, the knots and the ornament can be shaped in sharp detail. A metal phurba also lasts for generations, which suits an object that is handed on from teacher to student. Iron has a further meaning, since it is the traditional metal of the blade and of ritual daggers more widely.
Metals Used in Phurbas
Each metal gives a phurba its own color, weight and character. These are the main ones.
• Iron: the traditional metal for the blade. It is dark, strong and heavy, and it develops a deep, dull finish. Iron can rust in damp air, so it needs to be kept dry.
• Meteoric iron: iron from meteorites, known in Tibetan as thokcha, or "thunder-iron." It has long been prized in the Himalayas and was sometimes included in polymetallic alloys for ritual implements. It is rare, and the most desirable of the metal phurbas are described as being made from it.
• Brass: a golden-yellow metal that is strong and easy to cast and carve. It is widely used for the handle and the top ornament, and for entire phurbas.
• Bronze: a darker, heavier metal, valued for fine cast detail and a traditional feel.
• Copper: a warm, reddish metal that is easy to shape and carve, and the common base for gilded pieces.
• Gold and silver: used for precious decorative details, inlaid lines or ceremonial pieces, most often as gilding or plating and not as the whole phurba.
Mixed-metal phurbas are common. A phurba with an iron blade and a brass or gilt copper handle and top is a traditional combination, with a long history.
Wood
Wood is the other main material for phurbas. A wooden phurba is carved from a well-seasoned hardwood. Sandalwood is a popular choice, and acacia and rosewood are also used, along with other traditional hardwoods. Wooden phurbas are often painted with deity designs in red, black and gold, and some have serpents carved around the blade. Specific woods are prescribed for certain rituals, so if you plan to use a phurba in practice, it is best to ask your teacher. Wood is lighter than metal, and it is more sensitive to moisture and to knocks.
Crystal, Bone, Horn and Clay
Phurbas are documented in other materials too, although these are far less common than metal and wood.
Rock crystal and quartz are used for some traditional and ceremonial examples. A crystal phurba is clear and bright, and it is sometimes combined with gilded metal fittings and inlays of turquoise and coral. Crystal is hard but can chip or crack if it is dropped, so it needs careful handling.
Bone and horn have also been used for ritual implements in the Himalayas. They are carved and polished by hand, and they have a pale, smooth look. Because these are animal materials, it is reasonable to ask the maker or seller what the material is and how it was sourced.
Clay phurbas are known in some rituals. They are simple, formed by hand and dried or fired, and they are made for particular ceremonies, not usually for display. Because all of these materials are more fragile than metal, they are best kept on a stand, in a dry place, and handled gently.
Gilding, Paint and Inlay
Many phurbas are decorated to bring out their detail. Gilding gives the top ornament, the handle and selected details a golden surface. Painted details, usually in red, gold and black, are added to wooden phurbas and to some metal ones. Coral and turquoise are set into the handle or the top as inlays, which add color. Decoration is a matter of tradition and taste, and it is not what makes a phurba effective as a ritual symbol.
Plating vs. Solid Metal: What to Know
A phurba that looks gold or silver is not necessarily made entirely from precious metal. Gilded brass or copper is a traditional and valued form of the craft, and many phurbas are gilded only in parts, with the top ornament and the handle golden and the iron blade left dark. This partly gilded look is sometimes described as “parcel-gilt.” Solid gold or silver phurbas are much less common, and they are usually described and priced accordingly.
Gilding can soften at the edges and high points with handling, which many people see as part of a piece’s character. It should never be scrubbed or polished hard. If a listing says “gold” or “silver” without more detail, it is reasonable to ask which metal is underneath, whether the whole phurba is gilded or only parts of it, and whether it means solid metal, gilding or only the color.
Materials at a Glance
This table summarizes how the main materials compare at a glance. Individual pieces vary with the maker, the finish and the decoration, so treat it as a general guide.
|
Material |
Look and feel |
Typical use |
|
Iron |
Dark, strong and heavy; can rust |
The traditional blade |
|
Meteoric iron |
Dark and rare; highly prized |
Special and prized phurbas |
|
Brass |
Golden-yellow, strong, holds fine detail |
Handles, top ornaments and whole phurbas |
|
Bronze |
Darker and heavier, suits fine casting |
Traditional and cast pieces |
|
Copper and gilt copper |
Warm reddish tone; gilded for a golden look |
Top ornaments and decorated pieces |
|
Wood |
Light, carved and painted |
Carved wooden phurbas |
|
Crystal, bone, horn, clay |
Varied; more fragile |
Special ritual and ceremonial examples |
|
Coral and turquoise |
Red and blue-green stones |
Inlays on the handle and top |
How the Material Affects Weight and Feel
The material changes how a phurba feels in the hand and how it looks on an altar. An iron phurba is dense and heavy, while a wooden one is light. Brass and copper give a warm glow, and iron has a darker, more severe look. A metal phurba with a stand sits firmly, and a wooden or crystal one needs a little more care in handling. The size and the weight of a phurba also affect how it stands on a stand, so it is worth checking the dimensions of a piece before buying.
Does the Material Matter for the Practice?
The meaning of a phurba comes from its form, its imagery and the practice it belongs to, and not only from its material. Traditional sources do prescribe particular metals and woods for particular rituals, so if you plan to use a phurba in practice, it is best to ask a qualified teacher which material is appropriate. For an altar or a collection, a phurba in any of the materials above is a respectful choice, provided it is treated with care and honestly described.
How to Choose a Material
• For a traditional metal phurba: choose iron with brass, bronze or gilt copper, which has a long history.
• For a carved look: choose a wooden phurba, with painted details or a natural finish.
• For a decorative piece: choose brass or bronze with painted details or stone inlays, often with a stand.
• For a ritual practice: ask your teacher about the form and the material, since some are prescribed.
Whatever you choose, check the description for the material, the finish, the size and the stand, and ask the maker or seller if anything is unclear. Be wary of claims such as "sky iron" or "meteoric iron" that are not supported by evidence, since genuine meteoric iron is rare.
Caring for Each Material
In general, dust your phurba with a soft, dry cloth, keep it on a stand in a dry place, and handle it with care, since the tip is pointed. Each material also has its own needs.
• Iron: keep it dry, because it can rust in damp air, and wipe it with a dry cloth from time to time.
• Brass, bronze and copper: may darken naturally over time, which is normal. Avoid strong polish, especially on gilded or painted areas.
• Gilded surfaces: do not scrub them, because gilding can wear away. A soft cloth is all they need.
• Wood: keep it away from damp, heat and strong sunlight, which can crack it or fade the paint.
• Crystal: handle it carefully, as it can chip or break if dropped.
• Stones and bone: avoid water and chemicals around inlaid stones and bone, which can loosen the setting or mark the material.
Materials We Use
Our phurbas are handcrafted and are generally made from metals such as iron, brass and copper, with some carved and painted wooden pieces, and many are gilded and decorated with inlays. Each piece is shaped, carved and finished by hand, so small differences between pieces are natural. Materials, finishes and sizes vary from piece to piece, so each product page names the material and the details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a phurba made of?
Most often metal, in particular iron and brass, with bronze and copper also used. Some are carved from wood such as sandalwood, and others are made from crystal, bone, horn or clay.
What is a meteoric iron phurba?
It is a phurba whose blade is made from iron from a meteorite, called thokcha, or thunder-iron, in Tibetan. It has long been prized, but it is rare, so it is reasonable to ask a seller for evidence.
Why is the blade usually iron?
Iron is the traditional metal for ritual blades. It is strong and dark, and it is linked with the fierce, protective character of the phurba.
Are wooden phurbas traditional?
Yes. Wooden phurbas, carved from woods such as sandalwood and acacia and often painted, are well documented, and some rituals call for particular woods.
Are the stones on a phurba real?
It depends on the piece. Some use natural coral and turquoise, and some use imitation stones, so it is reasonable to ask the maker or seller.
Which material is best?
It depends on what you want. Iron and brass give a traditional metal phurba, wood gives a carved and painted piece, and the choice for ritual use is best made with your teacher. All carry the same symbolism.
Explore Our Phurbas
Read more: What Is a Phurba? | How Is a Phurba Made?