What is kandi bracelets?

Kandi bracelets are colorful, beaded bracelets exchanged as a sign of friendship and PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect) within the rave and electronic dance music (EDM) culture. Here's some information:

  • What they are: Kandi bracelets are usually made with pony beads, but can incorporate other materials like perler beads, charms, and letter beads to spell out words or phrases. They are often stretchy so they can be easily put on and taken off.

  • Purpose and Meaning: Kandi is a physical representation of connection and positive vibes within the EDM community. The act of trading kandi is a symbolic exchange of friendship, good energy, and mutual respect. Each bracelet holds a unique meaning depending on its colors, beads, and any words or phrases included.

  • Types of Kandi: There are several types of Kandi. These include:

    • Singles: A single strand of beads.
    • Triples: Three strands of beads combined together.
    • Cuffs: Wider bracelets, often several rows of beads thick. More elaborate cuffs may even involve patterns or designs.
    • Perler Kandi: Incorporates perler beads, which are fused together to create images or shapes that are then attached to a kandi bracelet or necklace.
    • 3D Kandi: Uses more complex techniques to create three-dimensional shapes.
  • Trading Kandi: The act of trading kandi is a key part of the culture. Typically, when trading, you'll perform a specific handshake (the PLUR handshake) as you exchange bracelets. This handshake involves touching fingers, palms, and then interlockng fingers. You and the person trading should both be respectful of each other.

  • PLUR: As mentioned above, PLUR stands for Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. It is a core principle within the rave and EDM community and is heavily associated with Kandi culture. Kandi is a way to outwardly demonstrate and promote these values.

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