Some religions believe in wearing red string bracelets and that red strings serve a purpose.

Kabbalah

Kabbalists believe that negative energies can enter people’s lives through the Evil Eye, which is when someone looks at you with envy and jealousy. Kabbalists’ goal is to rid their lives of, protect themselves from and reject negative energy from the Evil Eye by wearing the bracelet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To be effective, the string must be wool, dyed red and worn on the left wrist. Additionally, it must be cut from a longer string that has been wrapped around the tomb of Rachel, the matriarch of the Bible, in Israel.

Hinduism

In Hindu tradition, sacred red string bracelets are known as “kalava” or “mauli,” which translates to “above all.” The kalava is tied onto a man’s right wrist and a woman’s left wrist at the beginning of a ceremony. It is both worn for and symbolizes blessings to the wearer.

It can also be used in different rituals of worship (or “puja”) to Hindu deities, and can also be considered as goodwill to a person who offers it to another. The thread can also be referred to as “raksha” or “rakhi,” in a ceremony where a sister ties it onto her brother’s wrist. The brother wears it as a sign of his sister’s love and wishes for protection.

Chinese Legend

“The Red String of Fate” or the “Red String of Destiny” is an old Chinese legend. The legend, as noted by Cultural-China.com, explains that two people who are destined to be together are connected by an invisible red string. It is tied around the ankles of the two by the deity Yue Lao, a matchmaker in charge of marriages. The red string symbolizes soul mates that will one day marry. Although it is more of an anklet than a bracelet, it represents another cultural belief in red strings.