Bonfim Ribbon: Meaning and How to Tie It

Published on November 24, 2012 · Updated on November 12, 2026

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The Senhor do Bonfim ribbon is Salvador’s most famous symbol: a colourful ribbon tied around the wrist with three knots, one for each wish. Created in 1809 as the “Bonfim measure”, it was born at the Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim and is now known all over the world. That is why this guide covers its origin, its meaning, its colours and the right way to tie the Bonfim ribbon.

Quick summary – Senhor do Bonfim ribbon

Origin: created in 1809 as the “Bonfim measure”, attributed to the brotherhood’s treasurer, Manuel Antônio da Silva Serva.
Original length: 47 cm, the length of the right arm of the Senhor do Bonfim statue.
How to wear it: wrap it twice around the wrist and tie three knots, each with a wish.
Tradition: the wishes come true when the ribbon breaks on its own; in addition, ideally you should receive it as a gift.
Where to see it: on the railings of the Bonfim Church, covered with thousands of ribbons.

Colourful Senhor do Bonfim ribbons, a symbol of faith in Salvador — Senhor do Bonfim ribbons

Video about the history of the Senhor do Bonfim ribbons

História das Fitinhas do Senhor do Bonfim

História das Fitinhas do Senhor do Bonfim01:07

Curiosidades sobre as Fitinhas do Senhor do Bonfim00:50

História das Fitas do Senhor do Bonfim

Origin of the Bonfim ribbon

The ribbon was born in 1809 in Salvador, with another name and another shape. At the time it was called the “Bonfim measure” and was 47 cm long, the length of the right arm of the statue of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, which came from Setúbal, Portugal, in the 18th century. According to tradition, the idea came from the brotherhood’s treasurer, Manuel Antônio da Silva Serva, who sold the measures to raise funds for the church.

The first measures were made of silk, with the saint’s name embroidered by hand and finished in gold or silver paint. In addition, the faithful wore them around the neck like necklaces and hung medals and small images of saints from them. Learn more about the Bonfim Church.

From measure to wrist ribbon

Over time, however, the measure changed. First, silk gave way to cotton; later, to synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester. Thus the ribbon became shorter and cheaper, and people began to wear it on the wrist or ankle. That is why today it is sold all over the city and has become a must-have souvenir for visitors to Salvador.

Senhor do Bonfim ribbons tied to the railings in front of the Bonfim Church, Salvador — Bonfim Church and Senhor do Bonfim ribbons

How to tie the Senhor do Bonfim ribbon

Popular tradition has a few simple rules. In general, these are the steps:

1. Receive the ribbon: ideally, you should get the ribbon as a gift rather than buy it for yourself.
2. Wrap it twice: then wrap the ribbon twice around your wrist, preferably the left one.
3. Tie three knots: with each knot, make a silent wish.
4. Wait for it to break: finally, do not cut the ribbon; the wishes come true when it breaks on its own.

In addition, many visitors tie ribbons to the railings of the Bonfim Church, as a way of giving thanks or making a request.

Meaning of the colours

The ribbons come in dozens of colours. In general, each person chooses the colour by taste or by wish. In Bahia’s religious syncretism, however, some colours are also associated with the orixás, for example:

Dark green: Oxóssi.
Blue: Iemanjá.
Yellow: Oxum.
White: Oxalá, associated with Senhor do Bonfim himself.

Senhor do Bonfim ribbons in many colours, printed with the saint's name — Senhor do Bonfim ribbons in many colours

Faith, syncretism and Bahian culture

The ribbon combines Catholic devotion to Senhor do Bonfim with Candomblé, which associates the saint with Oxalá. That is why it is everywhere during the Lavagem do Bonfim in January, when Bahian women in traditional dress wash the church steps. Likewise, the ribbon has become a tourist symbol of Salvador and is recognised in Brazil and abroad.

Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim with its railings covered in ribbons, Salvador — Bonfim Church and Senhor do Bonfim ribbons

To discover the church and the city, also see the churches of Salvador, the tourist attractions of Salvador and the 7-day itinerary in Salvador.

Frequently asked questions about the Senhor do Bonfim ribbon

What does the Bonfim ribbon mean?

It is a good-luck charm of faith: each of the three knots holds a wish to Senhor do Bonfim.
That is why the wishes come true when the ribbon breaks on its own.

How many knots do you tie in the Bonfim ribbon?

Three knots, each with a silent wish.
In addition, tradition says to wrap it twice around the wrist.

Which wrist do you wear the Bonfim ribbon on?

By tradition, the left wrist, but people also wear it on the right wrist or the ankle.
However, the most important thing is not to cut the ribbon.

Can you cut the Bonfim ribbon?

By tradition, no: the wish only comes true if the ribbon breaks on its own.
Thus cutting the ribbon would mean giving up on the wish.

What was the original length of the Bonfim ribbon?

The original measure was 47 cm, the length of the right arm of the saint’s statue.
Today, however, the ribbons are much shorter.

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →