Rakhis

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A traditional Indian decorative thread that symbolizes the bond between siblings, often tied around the wrist during ceremonies
2. A sacred thread used in Hindu rituals that represents love and protection between a brother and sister
3. An ornamental strand, usually handmade, signifying familial affection and duty, especially celebrated in the festival of Raksha Bandhan

Etymology: Among the most striking facts about this word is its Rajput practice: a thread bound to the wrist could be sent by a lady of rank to a powerful man whose protection she wanted, effectively adopting him as a brother. The thread was never just decoration. In Sanskrit, "raksha" meant care, guarding and protection, and the thread was worn as an amulet against misfortune, as a sign of mutual dependence, or as a mark of respect, especially at the full moon of the month of Shravana. The Sanskrit "rakshika" passed into Hindi as "rakhi", a word for the thread itself. Its link to the festival of Raksha Bandhan, the day on which sisters tie rakhis onto their brothers' wrists, grew out of that older sense of protection. The English plural "rakhis" simply follows the standard pattern for nouns ending in a vowel sound followed by "i", and the word is an English borrowing from Hindi.