Originating in Indian culture, the word “bangle” comes from the Hindu “Bangri” or “Bangali”, referring to an adornment for the arm. Ancient bangles were made from all kinds of materials, including iron, copper, gold, glass, stone, and ivory. Bangles remain a key element of wedding jewellery in many Indian traditions, and can symbolise things like safety, health, luck, and prosperity. Whether worn on the wrist or stacked higher up the arm, bangles have long been an important expression of identity for Indian women. The popularity of this versatile adornment has spread and evolved in different parts of the world, with bangles taking on a wide range of styles and designs, but the essential idea of the rigid hoop that slides onto the wrist has stood the test of time.