A History of Bead Bracelets
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Bead Jewelry has been tracked back to the earliest civilizations known in history. It plays an important role in every civilization since the beginning of the human race. In the earliest era, bracelets and necklaces were comprised of bits of bone, rock, shell, flowers, and leaves. Historically, both men and women incorporated these creations into their dress. Later on in time, glass beads were crafted as civilizations became more and more advanced.
The word "bead" is derived from the Middle English word "bede", meaning "prayer". This word was initially applied to prayer beads or rosaries. Depending on the location of the civilization, the available materials varied. Some possible materials include: seeds, wood, ivory, bone, horn, shell, coral, pearl, amber, gemstones, metals, ceramics, and plastics. They were initially (and still are) worn as amulets or charms because of the "magical" properties that were attributed to the materials of which they were made. They were also worn simply for decoration. Because of their portability, they may have also been used as items of exchange.
The first main civilization where bead jewelry was worn by almost everyone was that of ancient Egypt. They incorporated beads into more than just bracelets and necklaces; they were incorporated into everything from sandals to aprons. A major affair in those times that jewelry was made for was funerals. The most intricate and extravagant jewelry was made for the extremely wealthy. The wealthy wore beaded jewelry of the most rare and prized materials.
Beads were used in jewelry to symbolize status in culture according to the scarcity of the material. Today, many people use the crafting of custom jewelry to represent personal preferences and individuality. This is possible through the obvious variety of bead material, along with a variety of strings and chains that make up the bracelets and necklaces.
The role of beads in today's world is about as general as the history of bead jewelry across the globe. People still wear simple beads made of naturally occurring materials such as wood or shells. They also wear more complex materials such as ceramic, acrylic, and plastic beads. With such a dated history, it is easy to recognize that the bead industry is one of the oldest trades on the planet.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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