你有几个“友情手链”？ <img src="/data/attachement/jpg/site1/20150805/00221910993f172ba54b0d.jpg" border="0" />

微博粉丝数，微信朋友圈里的朋友数量，这些似乎是当前衡量一个人朋友多寡的标准。而在电子设备横行之前，年轻人手腕上的友情手链数目才是实打实衡量一个人朋友圈的标准。你有几个友情手链？

A friendship bracelet is a bracelet given by one person to another as a symbol of friendship. Friendship bracelets are often handmade, usually of embroidery floss or thread and are a type of macrame. There are various styles and patterns, but most are based on the same simple half-hitch knot.
友情手链指一个人赠予另一个人、作为友情信物的手链。这种手链多为手工制作，通常由刺绣丝线类织物制成，是丝结饰物的一种。友情手链有很多风格和图案，不过，大多数都是在绳头固定结的基础上编制的。

Friendship bracelets first became popular in the United States during the 1970s and are commonly worn by both male and female teenagers. They are now popular throughout the world and are not only popular among teenagers but among the older generation; they are popular among celebrities as well.
上世纪70年代，友情手链初次在美国流行开来，在青少年群体中佩戴较为普遍。如今，世界各地均有这一风潮，而且佩戴者也不限于青少年群体，在年长者和名人当中也很流行。

Friendship bracelets can have many meanings and symbolic uses, such as friendship, folk art, or social statements. Although it is generally accepted that the origins of these colorful bands lie with the Indians in Central and South America, some decorative knots can be traced back to China from 481 to 221 B.C.
友情手链可以有很多不同的意义和标志性用途，比如：友谊、民间艺术或者（对某些社会现象的）意见表达。虽然通常都认为这种五彩手链来源于中美和南美的印第安人，不过，有些装饰性的绳结却可以追溯到公元前481年至221年的中国。

According to tradition, one ties a bracelet onto the wrist of a friend who may wish for something at that moment. The bracelet should be worn until it is totally worn out and falls off by itself, at which moment the wish is supposed to come true.
传统上来说，某人会将友情手链系到一个怀有某个心愿的朋友手腕上。这个手链在完全被磨损坏或者自行掉落之前是不能摘下来的，而手链掉落时就说明当时的那个心愿即将成真。

（中国日报网英语点津 Helen）