What does wearing beads mean?
Waist beads hold deep cultural significance peculiar to the different African societies. Worn by women or sometimes men, these beads are viewed as a symbol of femininity, fertility, sensuality, and spiritual well-being.
Beads generally symbolize positive things including protection, union, growth, good luck, etc.
Generally, gold waist beads symbolize good health, power, and wealth. Clear waist beads can demonstrate that the wearer is gifted and clever. Green waist beads symbolize abundance, nature, and prosperity, while red beads symbolize confidence and vitality.
Waist beads are a piece of jewelry worn around the waist or hip area. Originating in Africa, waist beads are traditionally worn by women as a symbol of waist size, beauty, sexuality, femininity, fertility, well-being, and maturity.
Beads can have religious or spiritual significance as a symbol of seeking peace or calmness. If you are examining beads on a necklace, you are exploring your attributes and strengths.
These beads are believed to offer protection against negative energies and negativity while promoting confusion and clarity. beads also have stabilizing effects; they promote growth, strength and compassion while making you more insightful.
Yellow- this color is a symbol of happiness and energy. Red and Orange- the two colors are the symbol of social aggressiveness, vitality, and courage. Black- this color is a symbol of protection and power. Green- this color is a symbol of fertility and nature. Brown- this color is a symbol of stability and earth.
Turquoise Bead Necklace (Large)
Turquoise is considered one of the best healers.
Since white dresses are a reflection to purity and cleanliness, wearing white beads also promotes sincerity, honesty, purity and cleanliness.
You do not have to be African to wear waist beads, nor do you have to wear waist beads for its traditional purposes.
What color beads are for protection?
In jewelry, black gemstones are often used to protect or give strength to the wearer. Some black gemstones are also said to instill confidence.
For beginners, we recommend wearing 1-3 strands. The more you get used to wearing waist beads, the more strands you may add.
Your waist bead is totally breakable either because you're eating too or maybe while moving too fast, you don't get to notice your beads attached to something and it rips it off your waist. This is totally normal. You just need to take note of what you were doing before it happened.
Some women who are deeply rooted in spiritual things also wear these beads for good luck. Others believe it does bring them peace, good night rest etc. They also wear them during meditation. They claim it helps bring protection to their heart, mind, body and soul. Hence, they use it against bad omen.
Waist beads are designed to be worn by women of all shapes, sizes, and races.
The red bead symbolizes the blood of Jesus and the belief that faith in Jesus and his sacrificial death are necessary for the forgiveness of sins. The belief that Jesus died on the cross to serve as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of all mankind is the core belief of the Christian faith.
Many sangomas/n'angas or traditional healers wear distinctive amulets and beadwork which aid in identifying them and their work, or for help during their work. They originate beadwork for anyone who feels that they need support in particular spiritual issues or areas of their life.
The red beads symbolise life and the ability to transform into warriors. The white, separating the red, act as a neutraliser to passions often inflamed when the warrior spirit is awakened.
Other men wear bracelets because they energize them and make them feel positive. In fact there are so many beaded bracelets that promise healing effects, energy and health benefits. If you are a woman, you may know that bracelets for men are conversation starters, like every other accessory.
Some people wear black beads around their hands in the form of bracelets which enlightens and bring peace. Black beads also symbolize death and evil. Conclusion. The black color is a very bold and heavy color. Black beads are also considered as Holy, elegant, powerful, and Heavy.
What does a red bead mean?
The meaning of red bracelets are linked to good fortune, protection and can signify luck.
Represents sunbeams, warmth, healing and motion. The colour of communication and health, cheerfulness and friendliness. Yellow aids memory and clear thinking, increasing self confidence and optimism, stimulating interest and curiosity.
It is Suggested that for peace and relaxation, amethyst is a soothing, spiritual stone that will enhance the chill vibes in your peaceful resting space.
- Crown Chakra – Clear Quartz, Amethyst, Selenite.
- Third Eye Chakra – Amethyst, Fluorite, Charoite.
- Throat Chakra – Lapis Lazuli, Blue Lace Agate, Sodalite.
- Heart Chakra – Watermelon Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Rhodonite.
- Solar Plexus Chakra – Golden Topaz, Citrine, Golden Calcite.
- Sacral Chakra – Citrine, Amber, Carnelian.
- Red jasper for the Root chakra.
- Carnelian and Picasso Jasper for the Sacral chakra.
- Yellow jade for the Solar Plexus chakra.
- Aventurine and moss agate for the Heart chakra.
- Amazonite and turquoise for the Throat Chakra.
- Lapis Lazuli and sodalite for the Third eye chakra.
Purple mala beads
A very spiritual color, purple is linked to the third eye chakra and can enhance your intuition during meditation. Amethyst: enhances meditation, develops spiritual abilities, clears negative energy, helps sleep issues. Sugilite: develops spiritual awareness, increases intuition.
What does wearing a black bracelet mean? A solid black bracelet can represent support for skin cancer (melanomas), insomnia, and anti-terrorism. A black/red segmented bracelet represents support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Black can also be used for custom military remembrance bracelets.
Why the number 108? The number 108 is considered a sacred number in Hinduism, Buddhism and yogic tradition. Malas or Japa beads come in a string of 108 and are used for devotional meditation, mantra and prayer. With each bead a mantra or prayer is repeated to meet a total of 108.
Blue: knowledge, healing, peace, truth, harmony — a cooling color symbolizing faith, devotion, deep insight. Green: prosperity, hope, harmony, healing and ripening, encouraging the wearer to love nature and be generous, humble and self-controlled. Red: self-confidence, vitality, sexual energy, passion, courage.
Your waist beads are designed to withstand the friction clothing, yet remain comfortable against your skin. Some women may wear them over their clothes, to adorn a long skirt or dress or against their skin while wearing a cropped top or low -rise jeans.
Do waist beads increase hips?
Women use it to adorn or accentuate their waistline thereby making their hips appear bigger and flexible. It is one of the best selling accessories in west Africa. The Yorubas call it the “ileke” and they come in various shapes and sizes and suited for all body types.
BLACK. Black stones can help promote feelings of strength and will power.
The black thread are believed to absorb negative energy and keep the married couple happy. The three knots indicate three different aspects of a married woman, the first stands for her obedience to the husband, the second for her respect to his parents, and the third implies her reverence for God.
There are many ways to wear waist beads, but the most common is to place them around the waist, just below the navel. You can also wear them around your hips or thighs. Some women choose to wear them all the time, while others only wear them for special occasions.
Typically waist beads fall below the navel, and right above the hips. Although it depends on you how you wear your waist beads. You can measure yourself above your navel, just at your naval or right above your hips.
Yes! Wearing waist beads before, during and after your pregnancy can be very beneficial! Tying waist beads on before or during your pregnancy can help you gauge you and your baby's growth, and many strands help bring protective and positive energy to the mother and baby.
It is perfectly fine to bathe, shower, swim, exercise, and have sex in traditional African waist beads strung on cotton string. Once tied on securely they become an intimate extension of you, and you do everything in them. Just be mindful not to yank on them while pulling your pants down to use the bathroom.
intentions can also be set with stretch beads by holding them in your hand and massaging the beads between your finger tips while repeating your affirmation (just an example but you can set intentions however you'd like).
I have worn the same set of waist beads for up to 3 years without taking them off. You can wear as few or as many waist beads as you feel comfortable in. Traditional tie waist beads are semi-permanent and can be worn while bathing, swimming, sleeping, etc.
"One of the most common misconceptions is that waist beads can only be worn by women of African origin and the misconception that women of non-African origin are committing acts of cultural appropriation," said Kumi. She added, "Waist beads are designed to be worn by women of all shapes, sizes and races.
How do I stop my waist beads from popping?
How to prevent your waist beads from always popping. Beaded ... - YouTube
Waist beads are usually made by using glass seed beads or metal beads.
In Hindu belief, there is a phenomenon known as chakra energy. Chakra energy in waist beads is believed to help the woman wearing them stay aligned and help with the flow of life-sustaining energy. Most young women (and few men) in Nigeria wear waist beads as a fashion accessory.
Measurements and Body Shaping
It is said that the beads shape your body and keep the waist small and hips accentuated. It was (and still is) used as a measurement tool. The beads do not stretch, so if/when the waist beads start to feel a little tight, it's a sign that there was some weight gain, and vice versa.
Color meanings
Blue: healing, harmony, insight, truth. Brown: earth, stability. Green: prosperity, fertility, abundance, hope, healing. Purple: spirituality, wisdom, royalty. Red: vitality, passion, bravery, confidence.
"One of the most common misconceptions is that waist beads can only be worn by women of African origin and the misconception that women of non-African origin are committing acts of cultural appropriation," said Kumi. She added, "Waist beads are designed to be worn by women of all shapes, sizes and races.
Black mala beads
Black is the color that's commonly associated with protection, as well as success. Black crystals are often said to protect against negative energy, and can help in working with the shadow self.
We don't believe you need to be religious or have a spiritual practice to wear mala beads—you can simply wear them as a reminder of personal intention you've set, or when seeking a calmer mind, body, and spirit.
Green is the color of renewal, growth and prosperity. It has also been linked with luck and abundance. It is a positive color that helps balance the heart and the emotions, promoting love for others and for nature.
Since white dresses are a reflection to purity and cleanliness, wearing white beads also promotes sincerity, honesty, purity and cleanliness.
How many waist beads should I wear?
For beginners, we recommend wearing 1-3 strands. The more you get used to wearing waist beads, the more strands you may add.
You do not have to be African to wear waist beads, nor do you have to wear waist beads for its traditional purposes.
It is believed the oldest evidence of waist bead wearing is in ancient Kemet, known today as Egypt, where the women wore several layers of waist beads called girdles. Today, they are popular in most West African countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Senegal, and many others.
In Hindu belief, there is a phenomenon known as chakra energy. Chakra energy in waist beads is believed to help the woman wearing them stay aligned and help with the flow of life-sustaining energy. Most young women (and few men) in Nigeria wear waist beads as a fashion accessory.
Some people wear black beads around their hands in the form of bracelets which enlightens and bring peace. Black beads also symbolize death and evil. Conclusion. The black color is a very bold and heavy color. Black beads are also considered as Holy, elegant, powerful, and Heavy.
The repetitive movement of your fingers across the beads helps ground you. Touching each bead as you say a mantra helps you keep track of how many times you've repeated the mantra.
Why the number 108? The number 108 is considered a sacred number in Hinduism, Buddhism and yogic tradition. Malas or Japa beads come in a string of 108 and are used for devotional meditation, mantra and prayer. With each bead a mantra or prayer is repeated to meet a total of 108.
There are 108 beads in a traditional mala. Half malas have 54 beads and wrist malas have any number of beads as long as they can be multiplied to equal 108. Why do malas have 108 beads?