In Tibetan Buddhism, these bracelets are used during blessings, prayers, ceremonies, or some healing rituals (puja) to restore the natural order of things. The monk who leads the ceremony ties them to the participants' wrists, so that body and soul are united always and firmly. For Buddhists, the color red is the symbol of life force, compassion and regulates the language: Wearing this bracelet encourages us to be compassionate with others and to moderate our words, because often the tongue hurts more than a knife blade. Red cords are blessed by Tibetan lamas and worn on the wrist, or around the neck to protect us from negative energy.