Anklet

History of Anklets

• Anklets have been worn for over 8,000 years by girls and women in the Indus Valley and Egypt.
• Anklets became fashionable in the United States from the 1930s to the late 20th century.
• Formal anklets made of silver, gold, or beads are used as fashion jewelry.
• Anklets are an important piece of jewelry in Indian marriages, worn with saris.
• Some people wear permanent ankle chains and connecting chains.

Anklets in Egypt

• Anklets were worn by Egyptian women of all social classes since predynastic times.
• Anklets were made of different metals, with gold being more common among the rich.
• Anklets were made of beads threaded in several rows during the fourth, fifth, and sixth dynasties.
• Anklets were worn by dancers in ancient Egypt.
• Anklets are still commonly worn by dancers in public events.

Anklets in Europe

• Bronze anklets were visible in temperate Europe during the Bronze Age.
• Anklets were found in hoards along the Danube, Alpine foreland, Rhine, and Rhône.
• Ancient Greek and Roman women wore anklets called Periscelis.
• Plebeian women wore silver anklets, while patricians wore gold anklets.
• Anklets are not commonly worn by Egyptian women in public due to increased Islamic conservatism.

Anklets in South Asia

• Anklets were used in the Neolithic and chalcolithic periods at Mehrgarh.
• Rajasthani women wear silver anklets to signify tribal adherence.
• In Odisha, there are anklets known as Paunji Nupur and Padapadma.
• Traditionally, only Kshatriya persons can wear gold anklets in India.
• Anklets are called Payal in Hindi and Jhanjar in Punjabi.

Anklets in Sri Lanka

• Dancers in Sri Lanka wear anklets on both ankles.
• Anklets are made of silver, gold, and other materials.
• Flexible anklets are made by tying links in a chain and can have sonorous bells attached.
• Anklets called Salangai or ghunghru are worn by Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, and Odissi dancers.
• Scuba divers sometimes wear lead anklets, and convicted criminals may wear ankle monitors.

Anklet Data Sources