Balinese Hindus wear bracelets made of yarn. If you have seen the bracelet, you might have wondered what it is and why they wear it?
The bracelet is called a Tridatu yarn bracelet and consists of three threads in the colours red, black and white. Etymologically, Tridatu comes from two words, "Tri" meaning three and "Datu" meaning king. Thus, Tridatu represents three principal gods, namely Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
Tridatu is not a magical thing, but symbolises three elements:
- The red one
the element symbolises creativity and courage - The black one the element symbolises strength and protects us from evil spirits
- The white one the element symbolises spirituality and goodness
Tridatu is a symbol that reminds people that life does not just have one colour, but many colours. There is birth, life and death. Wearing Tridatu reminds us of all this and wearing the sacred thread can bring purity and protection from all injustice as well as dispel evil spirits.
This bracelet is cleansed with holy water, making it sacred.
