Kandi bracelet
A kandi bracelet is a type of bracelet usually made out of pony beads, and is a popular type of attire in scene or rave culture, particularly kandi culture, an American phenomenon deeply rooted in US rave culture. Kandi bracelets are traditionally handcrafted, and some view store-bought kandi bracelets as diminishing their meaning of 'unity'. They are frequently made with rainbow or lettered beads.
"Kandi kids" is a term for those in the kandi trading subculture.
History
The term 'kandi' may come from the phrase 'candy necklace'; when pronounced out loud, kandi and candy sound the same. They started appearing in the early 1990s South California Rave scene.Kandi bracelets may have evolved out of friendship bracelets; friendship bracelets are often handmade and exchanged to commemorate a friendship, like kandi bracelets.
This same style of bracelets, but under the more general name of "Friendship bracelets" have been traded at Taylor Swift shows in the 2020s. This brought the popularity of these bracelets to a wider audience of younger fans.
PLUR and trading
The PLUR handshake is done when exchanging kandi bracelets, with each element of the acronym represented by a step. Kandi bracelets kept on the right arm are available to trade, while those on the left arm are not. Sometimes, the words are said as the gestures are done:- "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.