Cuff bracelets have different meanings depending on the period in which they were used. The cuff bracelet was already known to people about 5000 years ago. It is currently unclear whether it is used as a symbol of ownership or just as a decoration.
Unfortunately, around the 16th century, the meaning of the cuff bracelet was just as its name suggests. The current name can also be traced back to that period. Slaves in Africa and the Caribbean were given a bracelet engraved with numbers or name markings as identification.
In India, the meaning of cufflinks is completely different. There, it used to be a love bracelet. Men personally make bracelets to give to women in order to win their favor.
Today, fortunately, cuff Bracelet have been purely used as fashion accessories.
Archaeologists do not have a consensus on the time when the cuff bracelet was first used. A painting discovered in Pakistan depicts a woman dancing while wearing a cuff bracelet, created in 2600 BC.
Similar historical images and symbols have also been found in some parts of India, such as Creole earrings, as well as “slave” bracelets made of shells, clay, copper, gold, or bronze. However, it is currently uncertain whether these bracelets were only used to indicate the wearer’s ownership or as decoration.
But what is the significance of this cuff bracelet?
Unfortunately, the term cuff mainly refers to the dark past of slavery. In the 16th century, slaves from Africa and the Caribbean were required to wear sturdy one-piece bracelets. It is engraved with numbers or name markings to facilitate identification of the slave’s identity. Cuff bracelets usually cannot be turned on or off, so they cannot take them off and escape.
These bracelets are usually made of flat bronze or cast iron. They are certainly not as smooth and shiny as the jewelry we know today. The ‘slave’ bracelet looks more like handcuffs than fashionable accessories.
In the 16th century, cufflinks were used to identify slaves
At the same time, the meaning of wristbands was not always associated with slavery at that time. In the Indian subcontinent, women wear bracelets as jewelry and are associated with body decoration. Some civilizations also associate jewelry with love: men give homemade jewelry to women they want to win. The Romans may have been the first people to turn cuff bracelets into love jewelry and accessories.
Today we wear bracelets mainly as a fashion accessory. Couples often wear paired wristbands and cuff bracelets to express their love for each other. The fact that these bracelets are difficult to remove further highlights the commitment between couples. In India, Suriname, and other former colonies, wearing “slave” bracelets is also used to commemorate the past of slavery.
Modern cufflinks and bracelets
Modern cuff bracelets are rigid bracelets that can be opened and closed freely. On those openable bracelets, there is usually a buckle at each end so that the bracelet can be securely held on your wrist. A fully closed bracelet can snap shut, or you must slide it onto your wrist. There are ordinary cufflinks, but there are also some that are more dazzling and eye-catching, decorated with many small diamonds or other gemstones.
If you want to give it as a gift, it’s a good idea to engrave words on the cuff bracelet. Private words always add extra emotion to this jewelry.
Flat cuff bracelets are most similar to the historical “slave” bracelets, while circular, oval, hollow, and convex designs also have the same name. Bangles – wide edged jewelry that covers most of the wrist – sometimes referred to as “slave bracelets”, refer to jewelry that covers from the wrist to the middle finger.
How to wear cuff bracelets?
When choosing a slave bracelet for yourself or as a gift, please note that the width of the bracelet is very important. For example, there is a bracelet that is 6 centimeters wide, but for people with slender wrists, this may not appear very elegant. Choose a gold bracelet that suits you to match your clothes.
Secondly, choose the color and design style of precious metals. From gold, rose gold to platinum, your choice depends on your skin color and what you like. Can’t you decide? Matching multiple bracelets has also become a trend. In addition to delicate bracelets, there are also specially designed ones, including dreamy, wavy, or floral patterns.
Many people prefer platinum or gold cuff bracelets, but that’s definitely not all. As a trend of mixing various bracelets, you can choose to pair gold-plated bracelets with silver or steel bracelets.
Have you realized that even in the cold winter, you can still showcase your bracelet? It is now popular to wear bracelets on long sleeves instead of on the inside. This means you can enjoy them all year round.
We can conclude that the cuff bracelet has set aside that terrible history. Today, we no longer compare this beautiful bracelet to slavery, but rather to pure decoration and fashion. Cuff bracelets are designed for men and women who want to shine in special occasions and even in daily life.
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