The phurba is a three-sided ritual peg associated above all with the practice of Vajrakilaya. If you want to know more about its meaning, read The Spiritual Meaning Behind Tibetan Phurbas. This guide covers the practical side: which type, material and size, and how to place it.
Three common types
- Altar phurbas: usually 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in) long, placed on a shrine or used in practice.
- Phurbas with a stand: sold with a triangular base or holder so the phurba can stand upright.
- Pendants: small phurbas worn on a cord or chain, often in brass, copper or silver.
Material
Brass is the most common choice. It holds detail well and has a warm golden tone that darkens slowly. Copper is redder and often used in Nepalese work. Iron phurbas are traditional too and have a darker, heavier look. Silver is usually kept for pendants.
Look at the three faces at the top, the knots on the handle and the makara head above the blade. Crisp, even detail is a sign of careful casting and finishing.
Phurbas from our collection
Altar phurbas, a phurba with its stand, and a pendant. See all vajra, bell and phurba pieces.
Size
For a small home altar, 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in) sits well beside a statue without dominating it. Longer pieces suit a larger shrine. For a pendant, check the length against your chest: around 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in) is easy to wear every day, while larger pendants are more of a statement piece.
How a phurba is displayed
On an altar a phurba is commonly stood point downward in a triangular stand or a bowl of rice or sand, or laid on a clean cloth. It is kept on the shrine with other ritual objects, not left on the floor or among everyday things.
Ritual phurbas are usually not sharpened. They are treated as sacred objects, so handle yours with clean hands and keep it in a cloth when travelling.
