The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BELIEF ABOUT A FRIENDSHIP BRACELET

A RAWHIDE BRACELET IS GIVEN TO YOU BY YOUR FRIEND
AS A TOKEN OF YOUR FRIENDSHIP. IT CONSISTS OF FOUR KNOTS
ONE THE BIGGEST, IS A SQUARE KNOT REPRESENTING SOME EVIL.
THE OTHER THREE REPRESENT IN ORDER, YOUR FRIEND, YOURSELF
AND A WALL. THIS IS SAID TO MEAN THAT AS LONG AS YOU HAVE YOUR FRIEND
YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO FACE EVIL HEAD ON, BECAUSE YOUR FRIEND IS IN
FRONT OF YOU, AND THE WALL IS BEHIND YOU.
IT WAS SAID THAT YOU HAD TO WEAR THESE BRACELETS FOR A PERIOD OF
ONE YEAR, OR UNTIL THEY ROTTED OFF.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; POSITION DIRECTION ; SYMBOL

Subject headings:

686 Fourths / Quarters
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Leather Fur Feather
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms

Date learned: 10-23-1970