Colorful beads adorn Tracy Aaker's wrist. Green stands for growth, blue for baptism, black for sin and red for Christ's blood. The 34-year-old Fargo woman made the bracelets to symbolize her faith.

Richard Gere can often be seen wearing a wooden beaded bracelet — and has worn it for years. ... which is why his prayer beads — or mala bracelet — can almost always be found on his wrist.

In the 12th century, the prayer now known as the Hail Mary* came into general use, and the beads began to be associated with the Virgin and take on something like their present form.

A prayer bead bracelet is on display at the exhibition "A Treasure of Ritual Objects of the Palace Museum". Photo: Courtesy of Guardian Art Center .

A prayer bead bracelet is on display at the exhibition "A Treasure of Ritual Objects of the Palace Museum". Photo: Courtesy of Guardian Art Center .