love beads

American  

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. a necklace of small, often handmade beads, worn as a symbol of peace and goodwill, especially in the 1960s.

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Etymology

Origin of love beads

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

Example Sentences

“Keep an eye on my stuff. Ravens love beads,” she said darkly, casting a wary eye toward the tree line before hiking up her shorts and shuffling to the pickup window.

From Literature

She held public office continuously since she was first elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1969, the days of bell-bottoms and love beads.

From Washington Times

"Loop on your love beads, and we'll pass on a few hints from the grooviest cookbook ever. First, pick around in the shelves there until you find something with a picture on it."

From Salon

Go-go boots and love beads would not do; they needed more practical clothes that fit their new lifestyles.

From New York Times

He was known to be interview-shy, burned by the snide reactions of critics during the 1970s, when he sported a ponytail and stringy goatee; often performed wearing Nehru shirts and love beads; and disdained the touring virtuoso circuit, which he compared to a “monkey doing his trained act with the same pieces over and over.”

From New York Times