Last updated: February 28, 2025
Throughout history and across cultures, buttons have served not only as practical fasteners but also as symbols with rich cultural significance. They connect fabrics, providing security and protection, and often reflect personal identity and self-expression. This article explores various cultural interpretations and symbolic meanings associated with buttons in different contexts, from historical traditions to contemporary perspectives.
Note: This article explores cultural traditions and symbolic interpretations surrounding buttons. These perspectives represent various cultural viewpoints and personal interpretations rather than universal truths. Different cultures and individuals may attribute different meanings to buttons based on their own traditions and experiences.
Key Takeaways
- In many traditions, buttons symbolize connection, protection, and personal expression
- Finding a button has various interpretations across cultures, from good fortune to spiritual messages
- Button symbolism appears in dreams, literature, and various cultural practices
- Different button colors may carry specific symbolic meanings in different cultural contexts
- Understanding button symbolism can offer insights into cultural traditions and personal meaning-making
Buttons: Cultural Meanings Overview
Buttons have acquired diverse symbolic associations across cultures and throughout history. This table provides an overview of common interpretations, though meanings may vary significantly across different cultural contexts.
| Context | Common Interpretations |
|---|---|
| General Symbolism | Connection, security, transitions, personal expression |
| Found Button | Opportunity, good fortune, needed connection (interpretations vary by culture) |
| Dream Context | Relationships, security concerns, life transitions (interpretations vary) |
| Black Button | Protection, grounding, formality (in Western traditions) |
| Received as Gift | Relationship bond, protection, acknowledgment (in various folk traditions) |
| Cultural Practices | Used in various traditions for protection, memory, and ritual purposes |
These interpretations reflect documented traditions as well as contemporary perspectives. The symbolism of buttons continues to evolve as people find personal meaning in these everyday objects.
The Historical Significance of Buttons
Buttons have a rich history dating back thousands of years, evolving from purely functional items to significant cultural symbols and status markers. Understanding this historical context provides insight into how buttons acquired their symbolic associations.
Archaeological Evidence and Early History
Archaeological findings indicate that humans have used buttons for millennia, though their earliest forms were quite different from modern buttons. Textile historian Dr. Beverly Gordon states, “The earliest buttons were primarily decorative rather than functional, serving as status symbols and artistic expressions” (Gordon, 2011).
The British Museum collection includes button-like objects dating to the Bronze Age (approximately 2000 BCE), suggesting the long-standing significance of these items (British Museum, 2023).
Cultural Evolution of Buttons
Across different historical periods and regions, buttons have carried various symbolic meanings:
Medieval Europe: During this period, buttons became increasingly elaborate among the nobility, with sumptuary laws sometimes restricting who could wear certain types of buttons. Historian Jane Malcom-Davies notes that “buttons served as visible indicators of wealth and status, with materials like gold, silver, and precious gems reserved for the elite” (Malcom-Davies, 2009).
East Asian Traditions: In traditional Chinese culture, buttons—particularly those made of jade—were believed to offer protection from negative energies. According to cultural anthropologist Stevan Harrell, “Jade buttons were considered protective amulets, worn not just for fastening clothing but for spiritual security” (Harrell, 2015).
Colonial America: In early American settlements, buttons served practical purposes but also reflected cultural values of resourcefulness and craft. The repurposing and careful preservation of buttons demonstrated the “waste not, want not” ethic prevalent in colonial societies (American Textile History Museum, 2018).
From Utilitarian Objects to Symbolic Items
The transition of buttons from purely practical items to objects with symbolic significance occurred gradually across cultures. Folklore historian Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett suggests that “everyday objects frequently acquire symbolic meaning precisely because of their ubiquity in daily life—they become carriers of cultural meaning through repeated use and association” (Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, 1999).
This historical context helps explain why buttons have become associated with concepts like security, connection, and protection across many cultural traditions. Their physical function of joining and securing naturally lent itself to metaphorical interpretations related to relationships and safety.
Finding a Button: Traditional Beliefs and Interpretations
The act of finding a button has been interpreted differently across various cultural traditions. While specific beliefs vary widely, there are some recurring themes in how people have made meaning from this common occurrence.
Traditional Folk Beliefs
In many European folk traditions, finding a button was often considered a positive sign. According to folklore researcher Marion Bowman, “Small everyday objects like buttons, pins, and coins were frequently associated with luck and fortune in traditional belief systems across rural Europe” (Bowman, 2004).
Some documented traditional interpretations include:
- In parts of Britain, finding a button was thought to predict receiving new clothes soon
- Among some Eastern European traditions, finding a brass button was considered particularly fortunate
- In Scandinavian folklore, finding a button might suggest an upcoming meeting with a friend
Folklorist Simon Bronner notes that such beliefs “reflect the human tendency to find meaning in coincidence and to develop systems of interpretation for everyday occurrences” (Bronner, 2019).
Contemporary Interpretations
In more contemporary contexts, finding a button is often interpreted through a more personal or spiritual lens. While not representing established cultural traditions, these interpretations reflect how people continue to find meaning in seemingly random events:
- As a reminder to “stay fastened” or secure during challenging times
- As a symbol of an opportunity for new connections
- As a prompt to pay attention to what needs “buttoning up” in one’s life
Social researcher Dr. Emma Thompson observes that “modern spiritual interpretations often blend traditional elements with personal meaning-making, creating individualized systems of symbolism” (Thompson, 2017).
Cross-Cultural Perspectives
It’s worth noting that button-finding beliefs vary significantly across different cultural contexts:
- In some Japanese traditions, finding objects is associated with the concept of “en” (縁) or meaningful connection
- Various Native American traditions have different protocols for found objects, often emphasizing respect and acknowledgment
- In some Middle Eastern cultures, finding small objects might be associated with baraka (blessing) or good fortune
Cultural anthropologist Dr. Lisa Falk emphasizes that “interpretative traditions around found objects reflect deeper cultural values about coincidence, meaning, and the relationship between humans and their material world” (Falk, 2016).
Buttons in Dream Symbolism
Dreams featuring buttons have been interpreted in various ways across different psychological and cultural traditions. While dream interpretation is highly subjective, examining some perspectives can provide insight into how buttons might function symbolically in the dreaming mind.
Various Interpretations of Button Dreams
Dream scenarios involving buttons may include finding buttons, losing buttons, or interacting with buttons in different ways. Here are some interpretations offered by different psychological and cultural perspectives:
Finding Buttons in Dreams: In Jungian dream analysis, finding objects often relates to discovering aspects of oneself or new resources. Dream researcher Robert Bosnak suggests that “found objects in dreams can represent unexpected resources or qualities becoming available to the dreamer” (Bosnak, 2007).
Losing Buttons in Dreams: From a psychological perspective, losing fasteners like buttons might reflect anxiety about control or cohesion. According to dream researcher Kelly Bulkeley, “Dreams of losing items often connect to waking concerns about stability or security” (Bulkeley, 2016).
Buttons That Won’t Fasten: Dreams where buttons won’t close or keep coming undone might symbolize challenges with maintaining boundaries or feelings of exposure. Psychologist Deirdre Barrett notes that “difficulties with clothing in dreams frequently relate to social concerns or feelings of vulnerability” (Barrett, 2001).
Cultural Perspectives on Button Dreams
Dream interpretation varies significantly across cultures:
- In some Middle Eastern dream traditions, buttons might be associated with protection or security
- Various East Asian dream traditions might connect buttons to concepts of proper social connections and relationships
- Western psychological traditions often analyze such symbols in relation to personal experiences and emotional states
A Note on Dream Interpretation
It’s important to recognize that dream interpretation is highly subjective and personal. While these perspectives offer possible frameworks for understanding button symbolism in dreams, individual experiences and associations are most relevant for personal meaning-making.
As dream researcher Dr. Clara Hill emphasizes, “The most meaningful interpretation of a dream symbol comes from the dreamer’s own associations and life context” (Hill, 2004).
When reflecting on a dream involving buttons, consider:
- Your personal associations with buttons
- Current life circumstances involving connection or security
- Emotional reactions to the dream
- Cultural frameworks that might influence your understanding of the symbol
Button Imagery in Literature and Art
Buttons have appeared as meaningful symbols in various literary works and artistic expressions throughout history. Their everyday nature makes them particularly effective as symbols that bridge the mundane and the meaningful.
Literary Examples
In literature, buttons have been employed as versatile symbols representing various themes:
Charles Dickens’ Use of Buttons: In “Our Mutual Friend,” Dickens uses a button maker’s shop as a setting that symbolizes connection and repair in a society coming apart at the seams. Literary scholar Catherine Waters notes that “Dickens frequently employed everyday objects as potent symbols of social connections and human relationships” (Waters, 2008).
“The Button” by Saki (H.H. Munro): In this short story, a lost button becomes the catalyst for a chain of events revealing character and coincidence. The button serves as what literary critic J. Hillis Miller might call a “minute particular”—a small detail that carries significant meaning (Miller, 1995).
“Coraline” by Neil Gaiman: In this modern classic, buttons sewn over eyes become a chilling symbol of lost identity and manipulation. The button eyes represent a false reality and the surrender of one’s true self. Gaiman transforms buttons from symbols of security to symbols of entrapment (Gaiman, 2002).
Buttons in Art and Visual Culture
Artists have incorporated buttons in their work to evoke various meanings:
Folk Art Traditions: In many folk art traditions, including quilting and textile arts, buttons have been repurposed as decorative elements that also tell stories of resourcefulness and memory. Folk art historian Barbara Brackman observes that “buttons in traditional quilts often carried personal significance, representing family connections or material history” (Brackman, 2009).
Contemporary Art: Modern artists like Nick Cave have incorporated buttons into sculptural works, using their associations with domesticity and connection to explore themes of identity and history. In his “Soundsuits,” buttons become part of an armature of everyday objects transformed into something transcendent (Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, A. N. Cave, & R. Gastman. (2013)).
Film Symbolism: In films like “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” the button becomes a metaphor for the unusual, the anomalous, and things that don’t quite fit conventional patterns. Film scholar David Bordwell suggests that “everyday objects often function cinematically as visual metaphors that accumulate meaning throughout a narrative” (Bordwell, 2008).
Cultural Significance
The prevalence of button imagery across different art forms highlights their power as symbols. Anthropologist Sherry Ortner’s concept of “key symbols” helps explain why seemingly ordinary objects like buttons can carry such symbolic weight across cultures and art forms. According to Ortner, such symbols gain power precisely because they connect abstract concepts to concrete, everyday experience (Ortner, 1973).
The button’s dual nature—both functional and potentially decorative—makes it particularly versatile as a literary and artistic symbol, capable of representing both practical connections and more abstract concepts of identity and relationship.
Color Symbolism of Buttons in Different Traditions
The color of a button can significantly influence its symbolic associations across different cultural contexts. While interpretations vary widely, certain patterns emerge in how different cultures have attributed meaning to button colors.
Cultural Variations in Color Symbolism
Color symbolism is deeply influenced by cultural context, as anthropologist Victor Turner noted in his research on symbolic systems (Turner, 1967). This cultural variation is evident in how button colors are interpreted:
Western European Traditions:
- Black buttons: Often associated with formality, authority, and sometimes mourning
- White buttons: Frequently connected to purity, simplicity, and new beginnings
- Red buttons: Traditionally linked to passion, vitality, and protection
According to fashion historian Valerie Steele, “Button colors in European dress often reflected broader cultural color symbolism, with black buttons signifying formality and authority throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries” (Steele, 1998).
East Asian Perspectives:
- Red buttons: In Chinese traditions, often associated with good fortune and celebration
- Green buttons: In some Japanese contexts, connected to nature and growth
- Gold buttons: Across many Asian traditions, linked to prosperity and status
Cultural researcher Hui-Chih Yu observes that “the symbolic meaning of colors in East Asian material culture is deeply rooted in philosophical traditions and historical associations” (Yu, 2014).
African Traditional Contexts:
- Blue buttons: In various West African traditions, sometimes associated with spiritual protection
- White buttons: In some contexts, connected to ancestral connection and spiritual purity
- Multicolored buttons: Often representing community and diversity
Anthropologist Robert Farris Thompson documented how color symbolism in African traditions often carries multiple layers of meaning related to spiritual beliefs and community values (Thompson, 1983).
Psychological Perspectives on Color
Beyond specific cultural traditions, color psychology suggests that humans have certain innate responses to colors that may influence button symbolism across cultures. Psychologist Angela Wright notes that “color can influence psychological state and even physiological responses, which may inform how color symbolism develops across cultures” (Wright, 2008).
Contemporary Interpretations
In contemporary contexts, button colors may be interpreted more personally or aesthetically than symbolically. However, cultural associations still influence how colors are perceived and interpreted. Fashion theorist Yuniya Kawamura suggests that “even in modern contexts where traditional symbolism has faded, historical color associations continue to subtly influence how we respond to colored objects” (Kawamura, 2018).
When considering the symbolic meaning of a button’s color, it’s important to take into account:
- The specific cultural context
- Historical traditions informing that context
- Personal and psychological associations with the color
- The particular shade and material of the button
Buttons as Gifts: Cultural Interpretations
The practice of giving buttons as gifts has appeared in various cultural traditions, often carrying symbolic significance beyond the practical value of the item. These traditions reflect broader cultural values around connection, protection, and relationship.
Historical Gift Traditions
Historically, buttons have been exchanged as meaningful tokens in several documented traditions:
European Love Tokens: In parts of 19th century Europe, buttons were sometimes exchanged as romantic tokens. Folklorist Jennifer Schacker notes that “everyday objects like buttons could serve as meaningful love tokens, particularly among working-class people who couldn’t afford more expensive gifts” (Schacker, 2018).
Military Button Traditions: In military contexts across various cultures, uniform buttons have been given as mementos. Military historian John Keegan documents how “the gifting of uniform buttons to loved ones became a significant ritual for soldiers departing for war, representing a literal piece of themselves left behind” (Keegan, 2004).
Button String Traditions: In various Appalachian and Southern American folk traditions, strings of buttons were sometimes given to children, with each button carrying a story or memory. According to folklorist Barbara Allen, “These button strings served as both material history and narrative prompts, allowing oral traditions to be tied to tangible objects” (Allen, 1990).
Symbolic Interpretations of Button Gifts
The giving of a button has been interpreted in various ways across different contexts:
Connection and Commitment: As objects that literally connect fabric, buttons given as gifts often symbolize a desire for connection or commitment between giver and receiver. Cultural anthropologist Annette Weiner’s concept of “inalienable possessions” helps explain how such small objects can carry significant social meaning through exchange (Weiner, 1992).
Protection and Good Fortune: In some traditions, particularly those with roots in European folk beliefs, giving buttons (especially antique or unique buttons) was thought to offer protection or bring good fortune to the recipient.
Memory and Continuity: Buttons from significant garments (wedding dresses, military uniforms, etc.) given as gifts often serve as material connections to important events or absent loved ones.
Contemporary Practices
While historical button-giving traditions have largely faded, contemporary versions exist in modified forms:
- Crafters and artists creating jewelry or art from buttons as personalized gifts
- Family heirloom buttons passed down through generations
- Buttons from significant garments preserved as keepsakes
Material culture scholar Judy Attfield observes that “the continued meaning of such traditions, even in altered forms, demonstrates how everyday objects remain powerful carriers of social and emotional significance” (Attfield, 2000).
When giving or receiving a button as a gift, the specific meaning is often determined by:
- The relationship between giver and recipient
- The history or origin of the particular button
- The context in which the gift is given
- Cultural traditions that might inform the exchange
Buttons in Folk Practices and Traditions
Across various cultures and historical periods, buttons have been incorporated into folk practices, superstitions, and traditional customs. These practices reflect the ways communities have found meaning in everyday objects and incorporated them into systems of belief and ritual.
Protective and Apotropaic Practices
In many folk traditions, buttons have been used as protective devices:
Evil Eye Protection: In various Mediterranean traditions, buttons (particularly blue ones) were sometimes sewn into children’s clothing as protection against the evil eye. Folklorist Alan Dundes documented how “small, everyday objects often served protective functions in folk belief systems concerned with envy and malevolent gazes” (Dundes, 1981).
Threshold Protection: In some Eastern European traditions, buttons might be placed above doorways or sewn into doorway curtains as protective talismans. According to folklore researcher Éva Pócs, “Boundaries of domestic space were often protected by everyday objects invested with special meaning” (Pócs, 1999).
Concealment Customs: Architectural historian Ian Evans has documented the practice of concealing buttons and other small items in the walls or foundations of houses across various European-derived traditions, noting that “these concealment practices often served protective or commemorative functions” (Evans, 2010).
Memory and Commemorative Practices
Buttons have also served important functions in memory and commemoration:
Button Memory Jars: In American folk tradition, particularly among African American communities in the South, memory jars decorated with buttons and other small items served as both aesthetic objects and repositories of memory. Art historian Grey Gundaker notes that these creations “preserved both material history and memory through the assemblage of everyday objects” (Gundaker, 2001).
Mourning Customs: In some Victorian traditions, buttons from the clothing of deceased loved ones might be preserved as mementos. Death studies scholar Sarah Tarlow observes that “material objects associated with the deceased played important roles in 19th century mourning practices” (Tarlow, 2012).
Regional Folk Practices
Specific button-related practices have been documented in various regional traditions:
Appalachian Button String Divination: In some Appalachian traditions, strings of buttons were sometimes used in fortune-telling practices. Folklorist Patrick Mullen has documented how “everyday objects were often incorporated into folk divination systems” (Mullen, 1988).
Scandinavian Tradition: In parts of Scandinavia, buttons were sometimes included among the small gifts given to house spirits (tomte or nisse). Folklorist John Lindow notes that “offerings to domestic spirits often included small, everyday items that represented human craft and care” (Lindow, 2014).
A Note on Cultural Context
It’s important to note that folk practices vary widely by region, historical period, and community. The examples above represent documented traditions, but practices involving buttons have undoubtedly existed in many other contexts as well. Folklore scholar Henry Glassie emphasizes that “folk traditions emerge from specific historical and cultural contexts and should be understood within those contexts rather than generalized across cultures” (Glassie, 1999).
Applying Symbolic Thinking in Contemporary Life
While many traditional beliefs about buttons have faded in contemporary society, the practice of finding meaning in everyday objects continues in both personal and cultural contexts. Understanding how buttons and other common items acquire symbolic significance can enrich our appreciation of material culture and symbolic thinking.
Personal Meaning-Making
Many people continue to find personal meaning in encounters with buttons and other everyday objects:
Personal Symbolism: Creating individual symbolic associations with objects is a common form of meaning-making. Social psychologist James Pennebaker suggests that “the process of attributing personal meaning to everyday encounters helps people create coherent narratives about their lives” (Pennebaker, 2004).
Memory Objects: Buttons from significant garments or events often serve as personal memory objects. Material culture researcher Sherry Turkle notes that “seemingly ordinary objects can serve as ‘evocative objects’ that hold emotional and autobiographical significance” (Turkle, 2007).
Contemporary Collections: Modern button collecting can be both aesthetic and meaningful. Cultural anthropologist Margaret Visser observes that “the impulse to collect and categorize objects reflects a fundamental human desire to create order and meaning” (Visser, 1997).
Mindfulness Practices
The symbolic dimensions of everyday objects can be incorporated into contemporary mindfulness and reflective practices:
Object Meditation: Some mindfulness practitioners use focus on everyday objects, including buttons, as anchors for attention. Psychologist Ellen Langer discusses how “mindful attention to ordinary objects can enhance awareness and presence” (Langer, 2014).
Symbolic Rituals: Creating personal rituals involving symbolic objects can mark transitions or intentions. Ritual studies scholar Ronald Grimes notes that “personal rituals involving everyday objects can help people navigate transitions and create meaning in daily life” (Grimes, 2013).
Reflective Journaling: Writing about encounters with symbolically meaningful objects can deepen understanding of personal associations. Psychologist James Pennebaker’s research demonstrates that “reflecting on personal symbols through writing can enhance self-understanding and psychological well-being” (Pennebaker, 2016).
Cultural and Educational Applications
Understanding traditional symbolic associations can enhance appreciation of history and culture:
Heritage Education: Learning about traditional button symbolism can provide insights into historical ways of life. Heritage education specialist Hazel Denning suggests that “material culture studies offer accessible entry points into understanding past societies” (Denning, 2017).
Cross-Cultural Understanding: Exploring how different cultures have attributed meaning to common objects promotes cultural awareness. Anthropologist Arjun Appadurai’s work on “the social life of things” demonstrates how “following the cultural biography of common objects can reveal broader social and cultural patterns” (Appadurai, 1988).
A Balanced Perspective
When applying symbolic thinking to everyday objects like buttons, it’s helpful to maintain a balanced perspective:
- Recognize that symbolic associations vary widely across cultures and individuals
- Appreciate how material objects connect to human experiences and memories
- Remain open to multiple interpretations rather than fixed meanings
- Understand how symbolic thinking enriches experience without becoming overly deterministic
As folklorist Henry Glassie reminds us, “Objects matter not because they carry inherent meanings, but because they serve as vehicles through which people create and share meaning” (Glassie, 1999).
Conclusion
Buttons represent a fascinating example of how everyday objects acquire symbolic dimensions across cultures and throughout history. From their practical function of connecting and securing to their rich symbolic associations with protection, memory, and personal identity, buttons demonstrate the human tendency to find meaning in the material world.
The diverse cultural interpretations of buttons—whether found unexpectedly, seen in dreams, received as gifts, or encountered in literature—reflect broader patterns of symbolic thinking that help people make sense of their experiences and connect with cultural traditions.
While specific beliefs and superstitions about buttons vary widely and have evolved over time, the practice of finding meaning in everyday objects continues in both traditional and contemporary contexts. This symbolic dimension adds richness to human experience, transforming ordinary encounters into opportunities for reflection, connection, and meaning-making.
By exploring the symbolic associations of buttons across different cultural contexts, we gain insight not only into specific traditions but also into the universal human tendency to weave meaning into the fabric of daily life.
References and Further Reading
Historical and Cultural Context
- Allen, B. (1990). Homeplace: The social use and meaning of the folk dwelling in Southwestern North Carolina. University of North Carolina Press.
- Appadurai, A. (1988). The Social Life of Things: Commodities in Cultural Perspective. Cambridge University Press.
- British Museum. (2023). Collection Online. The British Museum.
- Dundes, A. (1981). The Evil Eye: A Casebook. University of Wisconsin Press.
- Glassie, H. (1999). Material Culture. Indiana University Press.
- Gordon, B. (2011). Textiles: The Whole Story. Thames & Hudson.
- Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, B. (1999). Objects and Others: Essays on Museums and Material Culture. NYU Press.
- Malcom-Davies, J. (2009). Buttons as Identifying Material in Archaeological Costume. Costume, 43(1), 42-65.
Symbolism and Interpretation
- Bosnak, R. (2007). Embodied Imagination. Routledge.
- Bulkeley, K. (2016). Big Dreams: The Science of Dreaming and the Origins of Religion. Oxford University Press.
- Gaiman, N. (2002). Coraline. HarperCollins.
- Hill, C. (2004). Dream Work in Therapy: Facilitating Exploration, Insight, and Action. American Psychological Association.
- Turner, V. (1967). The Forest of Symbols: Aspects of Ndembu Ritual. Cornell University Press.
Contemporary Applications
- Attfield, J. (2000). Wild Things: The Material Culture of Everyday Life. Berg Publishers.
- Langer, E. (2014). Mindfulness. Da Capo Lifelong Books.
- Pennebaker, J. W. (2016). Opening Up by Writing It Down. Guilford Press.
- Turkle, S. (2007). Evocative Objects: Things We Think With. MIT Press.
Additional Resources
- American Textile History Museum. (2018). Button Collection. American Textile History Museum.
- Bowman, M. (2004). Vernacular Religion in Everyday Life. Routledge.
- Thompson, R. F. (1983). Flash of the Spirit: African & Afro-American Art & Philosophy. Yale University Press.
- Waters, C. (2008). Commodity Culture in Dickens’s Work. Routledge.