The ancient origins and history of Payal: How anklets became a symbol of Indian tradition

Depending on your culture, the traditional payal (anklet) is often closely associated with Indian heritage and jewellery traditions. Worn by women around their ankles for thousands of years, the payal is much more than a decorative accessory. It carries layers of symbolism, history, social significance, and spirituality that have been passed down through generations. From ancient civilisations to the present day, this delicate piece of jewellery has continued to embody grace, elegance, and femininity.

The tradition of wearing payal dates back several centuries and was primarily worn by the Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilisations, where it served as a social status and an indication of wealth. In India, the history of payal can be traced back to the era of the Indus Valley Civilisation, which is considered to be the world’s oldest urban culture.

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Payals have always been associated with prosperity, femininity, and marital status. In some communities, it is an important part of a bride’s jewellery collection and is also gifted during the wedding ceremony as symbols of happiness and good fortune. The gentle tinkling sound was historically associated with the sound of a woman's arrival in a room, reflecting respect and courtesy inside the household.

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Payal has evolved from a purely traditional ornament to a versatile fashion accessory. Earlier, people used to wear gold and silver payals with tiny bells, which used to make a tinkling sound. But with new contemporary designers, you can now choose from gemstone-studded pieces to minimalist silver chains and other modern interpretations crafted from mixed metals, which look absolutely beautiful and are worn with traditional and even Western outfits.

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The word ‘payal’ originates from Hindi and several other Indian languages, referring to ornamental jewellery worn around the ankles. They are called pajeb, nupur, kolusu, and golusu in different parts of India. Despite the linguistic variations, its cultural significance remains quite high across the entire nation.

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Even while the fashions have transitioned over time, your payal still holds a significant position within Indian culture and is considered an uncommon accessory representing the bridge from traditionalism to modernism. Whether you choose to wear a payal for cultural purposes, spiritual reasons or fashion purposes, it will continue to be an icon of your heritage, elegance and identity. The attraction of the Payal will continue to endure because the Payal has a unique history that has developed throughout time.