A wrist of reminders–Bracelets symbolize friendship

Bracelets are a common sight adorning the wrists of people from all walks of life. For many, they are solely an item of style. But for others, bracelets carry a meaning deeper than the threads that compose them.
UI junior Derek Jones and UI sophomore Adriana DeGiuli refer to the bracelets they wear as friendship bracelets.
Jones has been wearing a bracelet from a friend of six years since this summer. He said the bracelet reminds him of that friend and the history they’ve had together.
“When you’ve been with someone for that long, it’s almost like you’re family,” Jones said.
In addition to his bracelet, Jones wears an anklet made by a family member. His sister, who has been making friendship bracelets for about five years, made him his anklet last Christmas.
Although Jones recognizes that friendship bracelets are an element of style, he said for him, they carry a symbolic meaning of connectedness.
“(They) represent a part of someone else on me — that I’m a reflection of my friends — that I’m not an autonomous person,” Jones said.
DeGiuli said she shares a similar sentiment. For her, bracelets are a reminder of support and friendship.
Although she made the four bracelets she now wears on her wrist, they still remind her of people. She first learned how to make bracelets from a friend, so in addition to receiving bracelets from friends, she has also been able to make them for herself and others.
In the past, DeGiuli said she wore a bracelet for about two years until it fell off. It was sad to see them go, she said.
Friendship bracelets have historic roots in indigenous Central and South American cultures. According to tradition, when one ties a bracelets on a friend’s wrist they can make a wish. The bracelet is worn until it falls off by itself. At that moment, the wish is supposed to come true. Bracelet making has developed independently in many different cultures according to friendship-bracelets.net and braceletbook.com. DeGuili, a maker of friendship bracelets, said it is not only meaningful to wear your own friendship bracelets. She said she also appreciates seeing bracelets she’s made worn by others.
The bracelets she makes are fairly simple, though it takes time. She uses the techniques of macrame, an Arabic craft of knot-tying to create patterns. She uses embroidery thread, which is conveniently inexpensive. She said  three or four yards cost about $1.
DeGuili likes making friendship bracelets because she said the craft gives her something to do and people appreciate them.
DeGuili and Jones said they notice the many people who sport friendship bracelets because they have style and look interesting. When DeGiuli sees someone’s bracelets, she said she notices intriguing designs and sometimes wonders if they have meaning. Jones said he too wonders what the story of a bracelet might be.
Brita Olson can be reached at [email protected]

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Junior Ada Fryer and sophomore Sadie Grossbaum sport friendship bracelets in the ASUI office.