Kandi bracelet explained

A kandi bracelet is a type of bracelet made usually out of pony beads, and is a popular type of attire in scene or rave culture, particularly kandi culture. Kandi bracelets are traditionally handcrafted, and some view store-bought kandi bracelets as diminishing their meaning of 'unity'.^[1] They are frequently made with rainbow or lettered beads.^[2]

"Kandi kids" is a term for those in the kandi trading subculture.^{[3] [4]}

History

The term 'kandi' may come from the phrase 'candy necklace'; when pronounced out loud, kandi and candy sound the same.^[5]

Kandi bracelets may have evolved out of friendship bracelets;^[6] friendship bracelets are often handmade and exchanged to commemorate a friendship, like kandi bracelets. The idea that they started as a drug symbol is likely a myth based on the prevalence of club drugs at raves.

PLUR and trading

The PLUR handshake is done when exchanging kandi bracelets, with each element of the acronym represented by a step.^{[7] [8] [9]} Kandi bracelets kept on the right arm are available to trade, while those on the left arm are not.^[10] Sometimes, the words are said as the gestures are done:^[11]

• "Peace": A peace sign is made, and the two fingertips are each touched to each other.
• "Love": Half of a hand heart is made by each party, with the two combining to form a single heart.
• "Unity": Hands are clasped together, as in a high five.
• "Respect": Fingers are clasped together. Kandi bracelets are, one at a time, moved to the other party's hand, using the free arm.

Often, the PLUR handshake is followed by a hug.^[12]

Terminology

Kandi bracelets have kandi-specific terms to describe them. Stitch is an umbrella term regarding the specific types of kandi; the three most common stitches are multistitch (even tubular peyote stitch), flat peyote stitch (even and odd), and x base. Cuffs are any form of kandi bracelet that uses multiple rows of beads.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Small . Liz . 5 Things You Didn't Know About Kandi Bracelets . 2023-08-13 . Relentless Beats . en-US.
2. Buncsi . Carine . December 2014 . Why Kandi Keeps the Spirit of Rave Alive in the Us . Mixmag . 26.
3. Web site: Bevacqua . Joel . 2017-03-03 . Inside the World of the Kandi Kids, Dance Music's Most Colorful Subculture . 2023-02-08 . LA Weekly . en-US.
4. Web site: Pradeep . Malavika . July 1, 2021 . Introducing Kandi kids, a wholesome subculture birthed out of the American rave scene . 2024-09-16 . Screenshot Media . en.
5. Web site: Rinehart . JD . 2022-04-25 . What is Kandi? How do You Trade Them at Raves? . 2023-02-08 . en-US.
6. Web site: Beehler . Kiah . 2019-10-04 . Exploring the role of kandi in our scene today (Opinion) . 2023-02-08 . Dance Music NW . en-US.
7. Web site: iHeartRaves . How to Trade Kandi at a Rave . 2023-02-08 . iHeartRaves . en.
8. Web site: kkussman . PLUR Handshake and the Exchanging of Kandi – Rave Culture USC Digital Folklore Archives . 17 May 2020 . 2023-02-08 . en-US.
9. Web site: The Culture Behind Kandi Kevin Taylor . 2023-02-08 . sites.psu.edu.
10. Web site: Tessene . Jessica . 2018-03-25 . Kandi Etiquette: The Guide to Trading for First Timers . 2023-02-08 . EDM Identity . en-US.
11. Web site: T . Nate . 2022-04-25 . What is Kandi? How do You Trade Them at Raves? . 2023-02-08 . en-US.
12. Web site: Packs . Lunchbox . What is PLUR? . 2023-02-08 . Lunchbox Packs . en.