Tie Three Knots in a Bonfim Ribbon for Good Luck / 🇧🇷 Brazil

A Bonfim ribbon gives you three moments to stop and think of what you want. Let each knot carry a different wish, or dedicate the three to people you care about. At Salvador’s Basilica of Senhor do Bonfim, bright ribbons cover parts of the iron railings. The same kind of ribbon is also worn around the wrist, where the knot feels a little more personal. Ask someone to help you tie it if you want to share the moment. The wishes themselves can stay quiet. You can think about a happy family gathering, an easy beginning in a new place or a safe return for someone away from home.

1. Lay the ribbon flat and choose the three wishes you want to make. Think of each one in a few simple words.
2. Wind the ribbon loosely around your wrist twice. Leave space for it to sit comfortably, and ask someone to hold the ends if you need a free hand.
3. Tie one knot for each wish. Pause long enough to say the words to yourself before making the next knot.
4. Wear the ribbon as a reminder of the moment. If you give one to someone else, show them the three knots and let them choose wishes of their own.

The ribbon takes its name from Senhor do Bonfim in Salvador, in the Brazilian state of Bahia. The early ribbons were known as medidas, or measures, because they were linked to a measurement of the image venerated in the church. Over time, ribbons became familiar as colourful keepsakes, and visitors tie them to the railings as well as wearing them. The three knots are the detail to remember: each stands for a wish. The tradition connects those wishes to the day the ribbon wears through naturally. Giving a ribbon can be as much a part of the experience as tying it. The person handing it over offers the occasion, and the person wearing it decides what to wish for.