Jobs Tears / Cherokee Corn Beads

On the one hand, these beads can be known for representing both the great suffering and hardship of the Cherokee people during the Trail of Tears and of Job in scripture. 

But on the other hand, as they are believed to grow from the seeds of tears shed in times of hardship, they can also symbolize great hope, strength, and healing in new life.  

Job's tears, also known as adlay or adlay millet, is a tall grain-bearing perennial tropical plant of the family Poaceae.

It is native to Southeast Asia and introduced to Northern China and India in remote antiquity, and elsewhere cultivated in gardens as an annual.  The chaff pulls out of the center of these tough, tear-shaped seeds to create a natural hole allowing it to be used as a bead.