Most common in terms of Fashion Accessories are Bangles and Bracelets. But wait, is there any difference at all between these two? Most of the time, people make the mistake of interchanging the use of these two words. Etymologically speaking, “bracelet” and “bangle” are entirely different terms. Bangle actually came from the Hindu word bangri that means “ring shaped anklet or bracelet.” On the other hand, bracelet came from brachialle, a term in Middle French that means “armlet.”
With their dissimilar linguistic roots, these two terms approximate varied regional origins of these adornments. Of the two terms, bracelet seems to be more generic when it comes to definition, for this encompasses all things that are being worn on a person’s arm, although usually, it is worn on one’s wrist. In contrast, bangle is more of like fixed in form, which is being ring-shaped. Therefore, the very essential distinction that can be solicited is the fact that bangles should be shaped like a ring, which means that they must always be solid and circular while the bracelets can actually be flexible.
But aside from this, bangles imply a kind of musicality which is not offered by bracelets. In the culture of Hindus or in variations of the Western world, several bangles can actually be worn all at the same time. Here, the bangles usually hit against each other, which produce a very lovely percussive sound. This might actually be the explanation behind the term bangle’s onomatopoeic quality. The fact that a bangle is essentially solid dictates that one must be created from a limited array of compact materials. This is the reason why you will encounter gold, silver and wooden bangles.
On the other hand, this is also the rationally behind the fact that bracelets are being made from a bigger range of different materials. You can find bracelets made from hemp, leather, cotton as well as gold and silver.
