Bronze Age cuff bracelets originated from the torc (torque), they had a small opening in the metal for easy placement and were worn around the neck, wrists and arms of both men and women. They were used as a status symbol as well as to identify the wearer. One belief is that these bangles had the power to ward evil and provide courage in times of strife. A common Celtic embellishment was the depiction of circles, these represented astronomical forms. Cuff-style bracelets began to appear in the late Iron and Early Bronze Age.
To discover more about spirals in Celtic culture, please visit our relevant blog post: The Symbolism of the Spiral in Celtic Imagery.
