Photo shows a silver garwoo, a kind of traditional Tibetan amulet. [Photo/blog.tibet.cn]

The garwoo, a kind of traditional Tibetan amulet, is an essential ornament for Tibetans not only to decorate their costumes but also to ward off evil spirits.

It's usually made of gold, silver or copper and carved with exquisite patterns, or inlaid with diamonds, tophi or pearls on its surface. Little clay or mental Buddha figures, Tibetan pills, little Buddhist paintings or Living Buddha photos are usually put inside the garwoos.

Tibetans carry them around with them to exorcise evil spirits, so they put what they treasure inside the garwoo, such as Buddhist relics and nectar pills. Many devout Tibetans think the nectar pill can save one's life out of danger. In other ways, they carry their previous believes in the garwoos.

Tibetan men use square garwoos and Tibetan women use round ones. They hang them around the neck, falling in the chest.