Protection Bracelet

Wearing bracelets enhances an individual's look. Designed to be aesthetically pleasing, some styles, such as a protection bracelet, elevate the accessory to a new level by giving it a specific function. Here at Chibuntu, we are proud to offer a collection of protection bracelets for men. Who wouldn't benefit from an extra boost to ward off bad vibes? Read on to delve deeper into why these unique bracelets belong on every man's arm. 

History of the Protection Bracelet

According to archaeologists, the earliest bracelet dates back to 2,500 BC and was found in what is modern-day Turkey and was made of obsidian. Now isn't that a delightful tidbit to share with guests at your next cocktail party?

From there, bracelets became increasingly complex as humans learned to use precision stones and manipulate metals. Oftentimes, these took on animal motifs, and the ancient Romans were particularly fond of wearing serpents coiled around their wrists.

Both men and women wore bracelets with equal gusto. Originally, their primary purpose was adornment, yet that shifted over time. Celts wore them to ward off sword attacks. Greeks-- and later Romans-- wore bracelets to protect themselves from violence, illness, famine, etc. Thus, a bracelet for protection became a meaningful accessory.

During the Middle Ages, bracelets went out of fashion. They returned with a vengeance by the 17th century and remain en vogue through the present day. Thanks to the availability of easily affordable material, such as plastic and embroidery strings, bracelets can be worn by virtually everyone, regardless of wealth or class.

Now that we've checked off our requisite history lesson....

Types of Protection Bracelets

First and foremost, you are the captain of your ship. While certain styles are designated as protection bracelets, embrace what speaks to your soul. Anything that resonates within your spirit can have the power with which you assign to it.

If faith is important to you, consider having your spiritual leader say a blessing over your bracelet. Make an altar, light a candle, and breathe protective energy into your accessory. Or simply take a moment to state your intention and ask the Universe to send positive energy your way.

In terms of the more traditional protection bracelet, our brand dives deep into bringing you options. These will be explored thoroughly in just a moment. But first, we want your opinion. How would you feel about seeing a Triple Protection bracelet?

The Triple Protection style combines three powerful protectors-- tiger's eye crystal, black obsidian, and hematite. We haven't yet added this to production, yet we're strongly considering it.  All of these stones have powerful protection properties. If this interests you, let us know. Your wish is our command. Well, within reason that is...

When it comes to modern protection bracelets, we have three primary genres in which we offer the protection bracelet for men. Among these are Red, Tri Datu, and Chakra. The thread that connects these three [other than protection, of course] is living mindfully.

Red Protection Bracelets

Virtually every major faith tradition-- and many cultures-- have some variation on the red protection bracelet. In addition to symbolizing protection and good luck, it also signifies love and connection.

Fear not, even if you don't have a significant other, you can still wear it to commemorate the bond between your family or close friends. After all, no one is truly alone in this world, as we are all interconnected to the web of human existence.

For those who don't identify as spiritual, it is still worth having a basic understanding of the value of the red protection bracelet in various religions. Having worn a red string bracelet myself, I can tell you now that it's inevitable you will be stopped frequently and asked about it.  More on that in a bit.

Christianity

The Biblical figure, Tamar, gives birth to twin sons named Perez and Zerah. Their tiny hands are then bound [gently, I hope!] with red string to symbolize unity and redemption. If you're looking to explore this story in more depth, you can find it in the book of Genesis, chapter 38.

Hinduism

Married women in the Hindu tradition wear a red bracelet on their left arm, whereas married men and unmarried women [what of the unmarried men?!] wear it on their right. This is considered binding, sacred, and a protective force.

Buddhism

According to the Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist tradition, these red protection bracelets are tied around the arms of those who have taken Buddhist vows or are being rewarded for significant life lessons. The Lama [Buddhist leader] blesses these before administering them and they hold profound spiritual significance.

Ancient Chinese

A legend that has stood the test of time throughout Chinese history is that of the Red Thread of Fate. Yue Lao, the Chinese god of marriage, sees this as a blessing between two people for whom the stars have aligned for their marriage. Additionally, it represents all those whose lives intertwine.

Kabbalah

Explaining Kabbalah to somebody who is not familiar with it is a bit of a challenge. I know this because I spent a few months studying it. Most often it is described as a mystical offshoot of Judaism, but Kabbalists themselves will tell you that it is an actual science.

In terms of the legend associated with Jewish theology, Rachel tried for years to conceive, to no avail. She finally gave birth to her son, Joseph, only to die during labor with her second son, Benjamin. Wrapping a red string around her tomb-- or an arm for those who cannot get to the actual tomb-- represents the protection of children and loved ones.

Remember when I mentioned this red protection bracelet is a conversation starter? I know this because I wore one for many years. What prompted my decision to go red was a book I found at my local bookstore when I was a girl, The Red String Book: The Power of Protection. This tiny book expanded my consciousness, appreciation for spirituality, planted the seeds of mindfulness in my tiny brain, and taught me that jewelry is a deeply personal way to reflect our values.

I cannot even begin to tell you how many times passerby stopped to ask me "What does that mean?" It's as if they knew my bracelet was something more than just a pretty knick knack on my arm. There were also plenty of times where people excitedly showed me their own red bracelet and explained what it meant to them.

Read more about the Red Protection Bracelet here. 

Tri Datu Bracelets

Another name for Tri Datu bracelets is Bali bracelets. Not surprisingly, such a bracelet for protection originates in Bali. What else originates from Bali? Chibuntu! It was travels to the mystical, mindful locales of Bali and Thailand which breathed life into Chibuntu.

While there probably isn't much need for protection while chillaxing on the beach in an exotic locale, the cultural lessons learned in Bali inspired this bracelet for protection. The black beads elicit power and protection from negative spirits. Red beads unleash creativity and courage. Finally, the white beads enhance spirituality and all that is good.

These colors are sleek, bold, and make for the perfect protection bracelet.

Shop all Tri Datu Bali Bracelets here. 

Chakra Bracelets

Asking me my favorite bracelet is akin to asking me which of my children is my favorite-- impossible to pick just one! However, the chakra bracelet is a top contender. If you've been paying attention to my posts [and let's hope you have!], you'll know that I've already touched on why I love the chakra bracelet. You can read that in this more extensive blog post about the Meaning of the Chakra Bracelet.

In that post, I spoke of gifting it to my friend, Sean. While he certainly deserves it, I also gifted myself with it. I wholeheartedly believe that when your chakras [the seven main energy centers in the body] are blocked, everything just feels... off. A multitude of issues arise from blocked chakras. Among these are feeling foggy, stressed, and even physical discomfort or illness.

Here's what the chakras represent:

Root chakra

• Color: Red
• Location: Base of the spine near the tailbone
• Balanced: Stability and grounding
• Blocked: Anxiety, nightmares, gut issues

Sacral chakra

• Color: Orange
• Location: Just below the navel
• Balanced: Sexuality, pleasure, creativity
• Blocked: Uninspired, lack of sexuality and sensuality

Solar plexus chakra

• Color: Yellow
• Location: Near stomach
• Balanced: Confidence
• Blocked: Lack of self-esteem

Heart chakra

• Color: Green
• Location: Center of chest
• Balanced: Love and compassion
• Blocked: Hatred and jealousy

Throat chakra

• Color: Blue
• Location Throat
• Balanced: Effective communication
• Blocked: Unable to convey messages

Third Eye chakra

• Color: Indigo
• Location: Between the eyes
• Balanced: Intuition and imagination
• Blocked: Depression, anxiety, headaches

Crown chakra

• Color: Violet
• Location: Crown of the head
• Balanced: Awareness and intelligence
• Blocked: Drained of energy, dull, and stuck

As you can see, there is a correlation between each chakra and a certain color. Seven colors, seven chakras. Wearing a chakra bracelet harnesses individual power, unblocks chakras, and offers protection. A chakra bracelet not only displays the colors of the rainbow, it is meaningful to both Hindu and Buddhist spiritual traditions.

Do you understand why this colorful, meaningful accessory is at the top of my list for a protection bracelet? Shop all Chakra Bracelets here. 

Whatever your preference when it comes to a protection bracelet for men [or anyone!], Chibuntu has options. Browse the site to find your perfect protection bracelet. As always, be sure to let us know your favorite in the comments down below. We appreciate you spending some time with us and learning the history and vision behind what we do.