Friends Forever

They’re everywhere! On the wrists of pro athletes, pop stars, and royals. Perhaps you are wearing one right now—a friendship bracelet! 

Whether made with colorful string or beads, friendship bracelets are exchanged between friends as a symbol of their companionship. But where did these bracelets come from, and why are they so popular?

They’re everywhere! They’re on the wrists of pro athletes, pop stars, and royals. Perhaps you are wearing one right now. A friendship bracelet!

They can be made with colorful string or beads. Either way, friendship bracelets are given among friends to show their companionship. But where did these bracelets come from? And why are they so popular?

Friendship bracelets might seem like a modern trend. But people have been making jewelry out of shells, rocks, and precious metals for thousands of years. And scientists think that as far back as 5,000 years ago, people gifted small trinkets to their chums as a way to celebrate their amity.

Trading jewelry continued over the years. In the 1800s, there were no phones to text or snap pictures. Instead, people made bracelets to remember their companions when they were far apart. Oftentimes, these bracelets were made with their friends’ hair!

By the 1970s, bracelets celebrating camaraderie had started resembling the ones kids wear today. Friends used yarn or string to weave bracelets with colorful patterns. Then last year, friendship bracelets became even more popular. Why? Pop star Taylor Swift! A line in one of Swift’s songs says, “Make the friendship bracelets. Take the moment and taste it.” Fans took the advice and started trading bracelets with pals at concerts.  

Friendship bracelets might seem modern. But people have been making jewelry out of shells, rocks, and metals for thousands of years. Experts think people gave jewelry to their chums as far back as 5,000 years ago. These gifts were a way to celebrate their amity.

Trading jewelry continued over the years. In the 1800s, there were no phones. You couldn’t text or snap pictures. Instead, people made bracelets to remember their companions when they were far apart. Often, these bracelets were made with their friends’ hair!

By the 1970s, bracelets celebrating camaraderie had started to look like the ones kids wear today. Friends used yarn or string to create colorful bracelets. 

Then last year, friendship bracelets became even more popular. Why? Pop star Taylor Swift! A line in one of Swift’s songs says, “Make the friendship bracelets. Take the moment and taste it.” Fans took the advice. They started trading bracelets with pals at concerts.

You might be wondering: Why have these bracelets been around for so long? Perhaps it’s because they’re a simple way to honor such an important part of our lives: friendship. After all, research shows that having friends is key to being happy and healthy.

So next time you hit it off with a new friend or want to put a smile on your comrades’ faces, give them a friendship bracelet. It’s what friends have been doing forever. 

You might be wondering something. Why have these bracelets been around for so long? Perhaps it’s because they’re a simple way to honor an important part of our lives. Our friendships! After all, research shows that having friends is key to being happy and healthy. 

The next time you hit it off with a new friend or want to put a smile on your comrades’ faces, give them a friendship bracelet. It’s what friends have been doing forever.