Bracelet

Item number Edz1082 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Expandable metal wire circle with two round gourd-shaped bells attached to it.

History Of Use

Silver ankle bracelets with bells were sometimes worn by children at the time of collection (1980), and had been worn by them much more extensively in the previous generation. They were believed to protect the lives of the children, and parents had their children wear them for this purpose. They were especially important for parents who had lost children, as a way of protecting those more recently born. At the time of collection, boat-dwelling fishing people still had their children wear them because of the high mortality among their children due to the dangerous and unhealthy conditions of their life.

Iconographic Meaning

The sound of the bells was believed to repel evil spirits who might take a child’s soul, and silver is believed to calm fearfulness.

Narrative

From a shop or market stall in Macao. The use, meaning, and history of this object was explained by Mrs. Yau Chan, Shek-ying, of Kwan Mun Hau Village, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong.