My Kingdom For A Lucky String
"Sai Sin" Wrist Strings: Blessings, Threads, and a Bit of White Magic Tl;dr - Thai Buddhist string bracelets, also known as “Sai Sin” or “Monk's Cord,” are traditional wristbands made from colored strings. They are often tied by Buddhist monks or given as blessings in Thai temples. If you’ve spent any time in Thailand and suddenly noticed a white cotton string tied around your wrist, congratulations, you’ve been saisin-ed . Or more accurately, you’ve received a sai sin blessing, a quiet but powerful little ritual that says, “Hey, may your life not fall completely apart this week.” These simple white threads might look like someone tied a shoelace on you while you weren't paying attention, but they’re actually packed with spiritual horsepower. They’re given during ceremonies, temple visits, housewarmings, weddings, monk blessings, and pretty much any situation where some divine backup feels appropriate. Here’s how it works: a monk or elder says a prayer (called a kath...