A traditional Catholic rosary consists of a total of 59 beads. These beads are arranged as follows:
- 53 small beads used for saying the Hail Mary prayers, grouped into five sets of ten beads called "decades."
- 6 larger beads used for saying the Our Father prayers, including one before each decade and additional beads on the short strand attached to the main loop.
- The rosary also includes a crucifix or cross attached to a short strand with additional beads.
This structure allows the faithful to count prayers while meditating on the mysteries of the rosary. The 59 beads correspond to the prayers recited: 150 Hail Marys (reflecting the 150 Psalms), plus the introductory prayers (Our Father and three Hail Marys), totaling 59 beads
