What is Kandi?

When someone decides to go to a rave or EDM concert, they will be immersed in an entirely new culture when they step foot in the venue. They will be met with individuals fully expressing themselves through clothing, hairstyles, accessories, and more. One of the most common accessories spotted at raves is kandi, but what is kandi? 

What may be confusing to some people is that rave kandi is not made of sugar and it is not edible. Kandi is a form of friendship bracelet, made out of beads of different colors and shapes. They often spell out different phrases that can range from “love” to “groovy baby” and everything in between. There are a variety of rave kandi ideas, and it’s up to the creativity of an individual to create kandi that they like and want to exchange. If you’re looking to make your kandi more interesting, consider using butterfly beads or mushroom beads, or making floral shapes to form a cuff. 

Exchanging kandi at raves means more than just giving a bracelet to another individual. When one person gives another person kandi, they are representing PLUR or peace, love, unity, and respect. PLUR is an acronym for the values upheld by the rave community, and trading kandi symbolizes mutual respect and new friendship. Kandi is just one aspect of rave culture that represents how tight-knit and loving the rave community is. 

Kandi is much more than beaded bracelets to wear for fun at concerts. Yes, they can easily spice up any outfit, but to the rave community, kandi represents love and friendship. Going into a show with kandi to trade with new friends is an exciting feeling. Coming out of a show with a whole new collection of bracelets from the community that surrounded you at the show is what truly makes the rave experience special!