Kombolói

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Komboloi also spelled Kompoloi (Greek: Κομπολόι) is a Greek fidget toy, used to relieve stress and generally pass time. The modern Greek word Komboloi (κομπολόι) is derived from the medieval kombologion ("κομβολόγιον"), a compound of "kombos" (κόμβος) "knot" and "logιο" (λόγιο) "collection" or "account".

[edit] History

Komboloi worry beads, are related to the Eastern Orthodox Komboskoini, the Catholic Rosary, the Buddhist and Hindu Mala as well as the Islamic Tasbih. Unlike these objects, the Komboloi bears no religious significance. It is merely an instrument of relaxation and stress management.

Kombolois are constructed from any type of bead, although amber, amber resin (such as Faturan) and coral are preferred, as they are thought to be more pleasant to handle than non-organic materials such as metal or minerals. Greek Kombolois generally have an odd number of beads and may or may not sport a tassel.

Although the origin of the Greek Komboloi is debated, its closest relatives are the Komboskoini used by Orthodox Monks as well as the Islamic Tasbih. Armenians also have their own worry beads which serve the same purpose as the Komboloi and are also non-religious in nature.

[edit] References

• Aris Evangelinos, The Komboloi and Its History, Komboloi Museum Publications (1998)
• Tasos Thomaidis, The road of Man and worry beads, Tasos Thomaidis Publications (2001)ISBN 960-87105-1-0