“I tend not to wear accessories. I'm not one of those gals with a drawerful of amazing jewelry. I don't even have my ears pierced! But I have one bracelet that never comes off my wrist.” - Rachael Taylor
Dating back to the Paleolithic Period, commonly referred to as the stone age, research suggests that mankind had been using animal skins. Early man used animal hides for a number of reasons, including shelter and clothing.
As the geologic clock ticked forward and we evolved, leather started being used for everything from footwear to musical instruments. It was during the Neolithic Period (“New Stone Age”), that early man figured out how to treat the hides and produce leather. This process is commonly referred to as tanning.
The First Leather Bracelets
The history of the leather bracelet is somewhat difficult to trace. There is evidence to suggest that some of the first humans wore leather bracelets to signify tribal roles, such as the group leader.
It wasn’t until the time of the ancient Egyptians that we really saw leather being used symbolically to indicate status. For example, we know that the eighteenth dynasty Egyptian pharaoh, Tutankhamun, wore a leather cuff as a symbol of his monarchy.
Leather bands were also worn in ancient Greece and Rome by soldiers. There primary purpose was to signify allegiance and rank.
Here’s a fun fact:
The famous gladiator Spartacus is believed to have worn a simple brown leather band around his right wrist to symbolize raw power. In this way, he projected strong alpha male characteristics to all who he encountered.
Bands similar to what Spartacus wore can be found on men of the modern era; inspired by the legendary fighter himself.
We also know that men’s leather wristbands have been worn by Native Indians for centuries. According to American Indian lore, some wristlets are designed to establish a tactile connection with animal guides.
When you are searching for a men’s leather bracelet, it’s important to understand what the symbolism is behind the various colors. Each has its own meaning, meant to project a specific message.For instance, wearing a black band signifies:
- Strength
- Power
- Sophistication
- Mysterious
- Dominance
Whether you adorn your wrist with multiple bracelets stack or add one to complete an outfit when exploring the world - the choice is yours. Check our Woven Leather Bracelet with Stainless Steel Tribal Hollow Cylinder Accent and remember to never be afraid to express yourself!