The peace-loving hippies shared their love with each other, and as a sign of their affection for fellow human beings, they wore love beads. Handmade beaded necklaces were the universal symbol for brotherly love and acceptance.
Love beads could be big or small, long or short, exquisitely crafted or simple and plain. Each necklace was different but guaranteed to be beautiful, just like its wearer. People traded their love beads, much like the fad of friendship bracelets in the following decade.
With a dangling strand of love beads about your neck, you were ready for the love fest, whether it be Woodstock or Haight-Ashbury.
Long scraggly hair, bellbottoms, a suede fringe vest, a bare chest, and some love beads was all you needed for the complete hippie look.
Oh, and love.
