Glass beads are one of the treasures of the Paiwan tribe. From oral legends, these beads magically appeared in the wilderness, and today their origins remain unclear. As there were no records left on how to make these beads or the materials that were used, Paiwan artists in Sandimen Township in Taiwan’s southern Pingtung County have carried out research to re-create them, each one with a special motif and meaning, such as an eye, feathers of a peacock, the lily flower or tears of the sun. The bead featured in this necklace with 18-inch chain depicts a modified warrior pattern. A warrior pattern included open repeating rhombuses, similar to the pattern on the hundred pace pit viper, a sacred animal of the Paiwan tribe. This type of bead was given by the great chieftain to a man who had proven himself in battle or in hunting and had contributed to the village. This was considered one of the highest honors for a warrior.