Expert: Judy - 8/17/2011

Question
Hello,

My mother-in-law placed an anklet of sorts on my childs right ankle. There are 4 strings that was knotted in the middle and then wrapped around my childs ankle. The colors were red, green and yellow.

She states that it represent longevity. Is this accurate and is this related to the religion of Buddhism?

Thank you

Answer
Hi, Sarah,


Colored strings are used for bracelets and anklets by various cultures and religions.  For example, Kabbalah (not a religion), rooted in Judaism, mainly uses a simple plain RED string without any ornaments or charms as a bracelet to rid of negative energy and to protect oneself from the evil eye.

In Hinduism, bracelets and anklets made from colored strings also serve a purpose of protection. A more elaborate bracelet or anklet can be seen in the practice.

In Tibetan Buddhist ceremonies, a monk lights the candles of a centerpiece and chants scriptures while others hold a piece of thread tied to the centerpiece.  Then, the monk and the others tie the threads onto one another's wrists. The threads' colors carry different meanings. Red represents bravery, life force, preservation, and the sacred.  White is for friendship, and black for sympathy.  Yellow symbolizes faith, rootedness, and renunciation, while green does balance, harmony, vigor, youth, and action. This practice restores the natural order of elements and brings people in a harmony together and makes the body and soul firmly tied together.

I am not sure about the significantly different purposes and uses between the bracelets and the anklets, yet they "seem" to me interchangeably.  Nowadays, ornaments are created only for cultural or religious purposes but also fashion and astatic view.  A simple string becomes more ornate with knots, charms, or jewels as Buddhist or Kabbalah bracelet or anklet.  There is more variety of colors available in the market as well.  What we have bought from stores now is "perhaps" only the representational side away from a ritual aspect.  To me, a man wearing a monk robe does not make him a monk inwardly.  Anybody can wear anything to get the blessing or protection.  However, the true blessing is from within.  Of course, I am NOT eliminating the existence of the sacred power or energy at all from any objects or elements.  I just don’t believe that these objects bought from stores without any means of rituals can serve the same purpose as what’s performed by a monk.

Hope this help to clarify your question.