Raksha Bandhan
/ˈrʌkʃə bʌnˈdɑːn/noun
A Hindu festival in which a sister ties a protective thread around her brother’s wrist, symbolizing affection and mutual protection.
Did you know?The ritual thread, called a rakhi, has historically symbolized a vow of protection and can also be exchanged between people who are not biologically related.
Etymological Timeline
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
rakṣā
“Protection, safeguarding, or a protective charm”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
rakṣābandhana
“The binding or tying of protection”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
rakṣābandhanam
“A protective binding or protective-thread ceremony”
Medieval and Early Modern India
Sanskrit/Hindustani
rākṣābandhan / rākhi
“A ceremony involving the tying of a protective thread”
Modern English
English
Raksha Bandhan
“The Hindu festival centered on sibling affection, protection, and the tying of a rakhi”