Greek komboskini prayer ropes are usually made of wool or special weaving cord. The name of the prayer rope reflects its essence and purpose: in Greek, kombos (κόμπος) means "knot", and skini (σχοινί) is a rope or cord.
Such prayer ropes are woven in a special way: each knot consists of 9 crosses of cord, symbolizing the nine crosses, or nine angelic ranks. Often seed beads are woven into the prayer ropes, and almost always they include crosses. The practical significance is that such dividers make it easier to count prayers. When a monk reaches the cross, he realizes that he has uttered a certain number of prayers.
Believers often decorate icons with komboskini prayer ropes, as well as give them to their family and friends to remember and pray for them.