If two things set humans apart from every other species on the planet, it's the fact that we wear clothes and we like to adorn ourselves with things. Anthropologists have found evidence of personal adornments like bracelets, necklaces and other jewelry as far back as they've found tools. It just seems to be something we do.

It may sound silly, but maybe it is because we have a deep sense of insecurity as a species. Being without fur, we are inherently vulnerable. In order to survive, we adapted by becoming clever. That is something we are very proud of as a species, but maybe it actually shouldn't be. After all, we became clever because we lacked something other animals had.

Be that as it may, it is a fact that humans wear adornments. We do this for a variety of reasons, one of them being to identify ourselves as part of a tribe. It may not seem that way in our Western societies, because we have so many styles to choose from. But if you think about it, it is as true of us as it is for smaller indigenous societies.

Psychologists tell us that it is necessary for our psychological well being to feel that we are part of a group or tribe. We are missing something if we feel either isolated from the rest of society or are lost in the crowd. Therefore, we instinctively align ourselves with a subculture. Some of us may be gothics and wear the appropriate goth jewelry. Others of us may be part of office culture and wear a suit and tie.

Another thing that compels us to wear specific adornments is the special occasion. We wear one kind of clothes for dating, another kind for working and yet another for going to war. There is also appropriate jewelry such as a necklace and makeup for every occasion. This is exactly what our prehistoric forefathers did, too. There is nothing new about it.

Of course, our adornments are also symbolic of our stature in our community. A utilitarian straw hat suggests that the wearer is a laborer. A top hat, though not in vogue today, symbolized a man of superior social stature. There is nothing whatsoever utilitarian about a top hat. It just makes a man stand out in a crowd.

Then there is the issue of personal choice. We are individuals as much as we are part of a larger group. While there may be certain types of jewelry, clothes and other adornments we wear, we also have personal tastes and express our individuality through individual adornments.

So you see, the bracelets and other jewelry you wear tell a story. What is your story?