KOMBOLOI κομπολόι WORRY BEADS 🇬🇷 FIDGET

Authentic from ATHENS GREECE WHAT ARE THEY? Worry beads or komboloi/kompoloi (Greek: κομπολόι, IPA: [ko(m)boˈloi̯], 'bead collection'; plural: κομπολόγια, IPA: [ko(m)boˈloʝa]) is a string of beads manipulated with one or two hands and used to pass time in Greek and Cypriot culture. Unlike the similar prayer beads used in many religious traditions, worry beads have no religious or ceremonial purpose. Greek worry beads generally have an odd number of beads, Modern Greek κομπολόι is derived from κομβολόγιον < κόμβος "knot" + -λόγιο "collection". It is sometimes said that it is short for the phrase σε κάθε κόμπο προσευχή λέω, "in every knot I say a prayer"- κόμπο "knot"-λέω "say" > κόμπο-λέω > κομπολόι. USES Worry beads have several uses in Greek culture, including: relaxation, enjoyment, and generally passing the time as an amulet, to guard against bad luck used by people who wish to limit smoking as a mark of power and social prestige. This is especially true in the case of expensive worry beads made of silver or amber.