Red String Bracelet
Ever since Madonna made it public that she is a follower of Kabbalah, many celebs have been scrambling to snatch up the red Kabbalah string that wards off the evil eye.
The popularity of red string bracelets exploded back in the late 90's with many celebrities, including many non-Jews. “Led by Madonna and her children, and including Sasha Cohen, Leonardo DiCaprio and Ariana Grande.”
The red string protection bracelet is most commonly associated with Kabbalah, however, this practice is an ancient one in religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity. The red string is mentioned in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 38. The reasons are shrouded in mythological mist in many countries, yet the reasons are quite similar, and represent the desire to ward off negative energies.
Importance of a Red String bracelet
A red string is often used as an evil eye protection. A Kabbalistic belief is that in order to succeed in this life and achieve all the goals you have, you need to protect yourself from the negative thoughts, bad feelings, and the evil eye of people around you who may affect you carelessly, unintentionally, or on purpose.
In Kabbalistic tradition, the red string bracelet is worn on the left wrist (the receiving side of the body and soul) sealing protective energy within, while intercepting negative influences that exist outside of the body. The left arm vein connects to the heart and when the string falls off, the wearer’s dreams come true.
According to Dan Nephin of the Associated Press, “The practice of wearing the red string is said to have grown from a tradition of winding a red string around the stone marker over the West Bank tomb of Rachel, a Jewish matriarch, while reciting Hebrew prayers. The string was then cut into bracelet-size lengths and worn as a symbolic request for spiritual and physical protection and blessings.”
How to tie a Red String bracelet in the Kabbalah tradition
A red string is placed around your wrist by someone you love and trust. Do not ask someone who provokes negative emotions to help you tie it.
According to the Jewish tradition, it should be tied in 7 tight knots to provide a better protection to the wearer. The bracelets made for One Lucky Wish are already tied and prayed on by monks with a strong spiritual connection. The last step is left for a friend to tie the final knot around your wrist.
The Prayer
The prayer is an important step for your Kabbalah red string to take effect. Have the person you love and trust finish up by reciting the Ben Porat Prayer, which will protect you from the Evil Eye. This is the prayer that should be recited: (just pronounce as best you can)
“Ayin alei porat ben Yosef porat benyivarech ra mikol oti hagoel hamalachshmi bahem vyikare han'arim etvYitzchak Avraham avotai vshemha'aretz b'kerev larov v'yidgu.”
This prayer will stop others from giving you the Evil Eye. Keep your promise to refrain from negative thoughts and talk. This will ensure your protection.
How to tie a Red String bracelet in a Spiritual tradition
Try to keep a positive image of people around you in your head while someone you love is tying the red string around your wrist. After that, say your positive thoughts and affirmations out loud for the red string protection to take effect.
Your positive attitude and affirmations are an important part of the process of tying a red string bracelet. If you are in a bad mood or mad at someone, put this off and do it some other time.
The significance of the red string in other spiritual practices
In Buddhism, the color red holds tremendous significance. It is a symbol that impacts one’s life and sustenance of the same. It takes care of the life force and compassion. Red also represents fearlessness, courage and bravery. It rules the tongue portion of the body. Wearing the red string is a reminder that one must show compassion to all. One must be mindful of the tongue, for the tongue can cut deeper than the sword.
What happens when the red string breaks
Some have worn the red string bracelets for up to 2 years. When the red string bracelet breaks or falls off, it is said that it has deflected all the negative and absorbed all the energies, and can no longer hold any more. It has done its job, so do not be concerned. Tie another one on your wrist as soon as you feel ready.
If you should replace the red string bracelet and it falls off again after a few days, you should re-examine your energy and your behavior toward others. This is a good reason to replace the red string bracelet to keep you protected.
The rules of the red string
As part of this ritual, you must never cut off the string. It has to fall off the wearer on its own accord, at which time a loved one ties another red string around the wearer's wrist.