Red String (Kabbalah)
Wearing a thin scarlet or crimson string (Hebrew: חוט השני) as a type of talisman is a folk custom among Jews as a way to ward off misfortune brought about by the "evil eye" (Hebrew: עין הרע). The tradition is popularly thought to be associated with Judaism's Kabbalah.
The red string itself is usually made from thin scarlet wool thread. It is worn as a bracelet or band on the left wrist of the wearer (understood in some Kabbalistic theory as the receiving side of the spiritual body), knotted seven times, and then sanctified with Hebrew blessings.
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Famous quotes containing the words red and/or string:
“All those girls
who wore the red shoes,
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Stations flew by like suitors and would not stop.
They all danced like trout on the hook.
They were played with.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)
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