Wristbands Throughout the History
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While todays trend of wearing rubber wristbands is certainly a relatively recent development in the course of human history, the practice of wearing a band on ones wrist as a symbolic gesture is not a new concept. The bracelets worn in ancient Roman, Chinese, and Indian cultures, however, had quite different meanings than the rubber bracelets people wear today in an effort to express their support of a variety of social and political causes, including disease awareness, prevention, and eradication, as well as acknowledging a societal need to eliminate violence and poverty.
While in ancient times, wrist adornment was a matter of social standing, in the modern world rubber wristbands are worn by politicians, actors, military personnel, and athletes alike, regardless of race, nationality or creed. In Barack Obamas 2008 presidential campaign, he donned a black (metal) wristband given to him by the mother of a young man who was killed in the Iraq War as a sign of remembrance.
When wearing rubber bracelets first became popular in the early 2000s, different colored wristbands were a tip- off to the cause the wearer supported. For example:
Purple bands denoted solidarity in the fight to eliminate domestic violence.
Pink wristbands signified the desire to eradicate breast cancer, and
The bright yellow wristband worn by those supporting world-champion cyclist Lance Armstrong in his 2004 Livestrong campaign against cancer have been among the most popular.
Wristbands usually cost no more than $1 and as more and more charitable organizations join the wristband bandwagon, it is easy to find a rubber bracelet that will help you express your support of any cause.
Students at Bellflower High School, in Bellflower, California recently raised over $100 in just one afternoon selling beaded bracelets for charity for one dollar a piece. They plan to donate the money raised in selling these homemade bracelets to efforts in modern India to offer disadvantaged children needed cleft palate surgery though the organization Smile Train.
Though todays wristbands are a means to deal with some very serious causes, they are usually worn quite casually. This was not the case in ancient Rome, China, and India where these bracelets were taken more seriously.
In ancient Greek cultures, ornate gold or silver wraps were worn above and below the elbows of women. These adornments served a dual purpose. Since they were often detailed with lions, snakes or other powerful animals, they were thought to repel evil spirits; they were also worn to be an attractive accent to their flowing gowns and elaborate hairstyles. Greek men wore metal or leather cuffs on their forearms, but theirs served the very material role of being protection in battle.
For instance, in ancient China, kings and aristocrats wore bracelets with detailed designs including dragons and phoenixes as well as incorporating various metals with precious stones as a display of wealth and power. Bracelets were as much a part of an ancient Chinese kings attire as his silk robes and head coverings.
Still today in India, women wear gold bangles to pronounce marital status- similar to the role a wedding band plays in Western culture. More bangles and those of greater value had the power to communicate a greater social standing of a womans husband, a meaning those colorful rubbery bracelets certainly cannot relay.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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