The prayer wheel held by Tibetans, also called the hand mani wheel, is the small type of sutra-canisters. It is often made of gold, silver, or copper, and  wrapped by cloth, silk, satin, cowhide or sheepskin.

The prayer wheel has a uniform body with a rolling axis in the center. Not only is the cylinder of the wheel carved with the "om mani padme hum", a small roll of sutra mantras of Tibetan Buddhism is hidden in the middle of the cylinder as well.

Generally speaking, the prayer wheel is designed quite exquisitely. In addition to scriptures and pictures of birds and animals carved on its appearance, it is also decorated with corals and gems, as well as lacquered colors.

On the prayer wheel, there is a pendant that rotates along with it when the Tibetans turn the prayer wheel, which allows the wheel's rotational speed to accelerate through inertia. According to the doctrine of Tibetan Buddhism, every turn of the prayer wheel is equivalent to one chanting of the scriptures. When a prayer wheel is rotated rapidly, Tibetans would believe that their merits and virtues are accumulating at a faster pace.

The prayer wheel is an indispensable part of the Tibetan peoples' lives. [Photo provided by Xiaoyao Huanglaoxie/tianya.cn]

The prayer wheel is an indispensable part of the Tibetan peoples' lives. [Photo provided by Xiaoyao Huanglaoxie/tianya.cn]

The prayer wheel is an indispensable part of the Tibetan peoples' lives. [Photo provided by Xiaoyao Huanglaoxie/tianya.cn]

The prayer wheel is an indispensable part of the Tibetan peoples' lives. [Photo provided by Xiaoyao Huanglaoxie/tianya.cn]

The prayer wheel is an indispensable part of the Tibetan peoples' lives. [Photo provided by Xiaoyao Huanglaoxie/tianya.cn]

The prayer wheel is an indispensable part of the Tibetan peoples' lives. [Photo provided by Xiaoyao Huanglaoxie/tianya.cn]

The prayer wheel is an indispensable part of the Tibetan peoples' lives. [Photo provided by Xiaoyao Huanglaoxie/tianya.cn]