When you visit Greece you are bound to notice that many gentlemen hold in their hands strings of beads which they shift between their fingers. These beads are called “kompoloi” (worry beads).

Komboloi also spelled Kompoloi  is a Greek fidget toy, used to relieve stress and generally pass time. The modern Greek word Kompoloi is derived from the medieval kombologion , a compound of "kompos" (knots) and "log??" (accounting), in one phrase  “counting the knots”.

 It is hard to find one single theory explaining the origin of “kompoloi”. There are several hypotheses one can make :

- it is derived from the knotted prayer strands used by the Greek orthodox monks

- it was adopted by the Greeks to "mock" the prayer bead-strands used by the Turks

- it is just a recent addition to Greek customs, not older than 80 years.

So, what are the reasons for people to use (‘play’) "kompoloi"? 

The most common answer the Greeks give is that <kompoloi> helps you calm down and relax because its wooden beads offer a soft massage to the fingers that has a soothing effect on your nervous system. They can also help you cut down on smoking and prevent you from over-eating.

Kompoloi can also be a great souvenir or a piece of jewelry for men and women alike.

Our original Greek "Kompoloi" is handmade from genuine Olive Tree Wood handcrafted exclusively by the famous Greek craftsnan Mr. John Mpitakos.

Our “kompolois” can be used as: 

* a way of giving up bad habits such as, smoking, nervousness, nervous eating or biting our nails,

* jewelry because it is strung with valuable beads made of real olive tree wood,

* a remedy because it is made of Natural Wood which radiates health-enhancing energy,

* a piece of traditional popular art because it is designed with high standards of aesthetics and craftsmanship,

* a collector’s item because our items are handmade by the famous Greek folk craftsman, John Mpitakos, who lives on the Greek Island of Evoia and makes only a limited number every year,

* an amulet because it is believed as an item of good luck,

* a "palliative therapy" because the massage to our fingers can relax our neural system,

* a home decorative accessory on our furniture, tables or hung on the walls,

* a joy for our senses, with its purling beads, silken touch, vibrant colours and the natural scent of real wood,

* our personal "trainer" because we can use it to become more skillful with our fingers,

* a symbol of wealth because it points out that we have plenty of free time,

* a reflection of our "relaxed" personality, as it reflects our ego, in the same way our car or our house does

Short history: “Komboloi” (worry beads) goes centuries back in history and has been used by the Greeks, the Ottomans, the Arabs and other people in the east. In Europe, worry beads were propagated by the Crusaders, while in Greece they became famous by the Turks who used them as accessories for their relaxation.

 In Greece, worry beads (komboloi) initially were used by "outcasts" and generally those who had plenty of time for relaxation, leisure, pass time.

 By the time the worry beads became more and more major symbols of valor and prestige. Today, during the century of speed, information and intensive production, worry beads can be advisable accessories for both men and women, as they can become a good way for relaxation and giving up the bad habits.

About Greek Olive Trees :

 Thomas Jefferson wrote: "The olive tree is surely the richest gift of Heaven"

The olive tree has been the symbol of wisdom and peace. The olive tree was the sacred tree of Goddess Athena and Athens, the capital of Greece. Its name was given by the Goddess. God Zeus had decreed that the city should be given to the god who offered the most useful gift to the people. Poseidon gave them the horse. Goddess Athena struck the bare soil with her spear and caused an olive tree to spring up. The people were so delighted with the olive tree that Zeus gave the city to Athena and named it after her. Athena is often shown with an olive branch, a symbol of peace and plenty.

At the Ancient Olympic Games, winners were presented with a simple olive tree branch which was cut with a gold-handled knife from a wild olive tree. The Greeks believed that the vitality of the sacred tree was transmitted to the recipient through the branch.

Uses: “Komboloi” has been used as a pastime and as a device to occupy our mind and distract it from ruminating over depressing and worrying thoughts. So It has been used as a handy means to acquire calmness and to alleviate our anxieties.

Playing the “komboloi” has been used as a harmless subtitute to smoking: by occupying the hands, immitating the hand movements of smoking and distracting the mind from depressive or worrying thoughts, a lot of people have managed to stop smoking.

Playing the “komboloi” has also helped people to ‘slow down’ their over-eating habit.

Instructions for playing the “komboloi”: There are 2 main ways to play the “komboloi” in your fingers.

1. The first one is to hold “komboloi” in one hand with all its beads in that palm (fist).

Then try to ‘pass and count’ the beads, one by one, in to your other hand (palm). When you shift all the beads (only one by one), to the other hand (palm) you start doing do the same, the other way round.

This time though, you must count not only the beads you shift, one by one, but also to count and remember how many complete ‘rounds’ you have accomplished moving the whole “komboloi” from one hand to the other!!

It helps a lot if before you start your ‘game’ you set a high number of ‘rounds’ for you to accomplish and then try to overpass it. It is even better if you manage to challenge and compete with some other friends.

Do not worry we can sell some “komboloi” to them too!!

2. You hold the end of your “komboloi” in your fingers of your hand (use your  ‘good’ hand to start). Then try to make with the rest of “komboloi” circular or semi-circular movements and possibly moving the end of the “komboloi” you hold in your fingers so that it moves (the end) up and down between your fingers!!

When you manage this ‘basic’ movements you can improvise and advance your self to any other type of movements you fancy.

It is a sign of dexterity if you manage to do the same movements with either hand!!

It helps if you manage to challenge some friends and organise a “kompoloi” skill competition!!

Our supplies: We choose our “kombolois” personally ourselves from Greece, so that we can secure their high quality and genuine originality.

We exceptionally acquire, all our olive tree wood “kombolois”, exclusively from one of the best living Greek craftsmen, the legendary oldman, Mr. John Mpitakos.

Mr. Mpitakos supplies us with a limited number of his handmade “kombolois” which he handcrafts out of real wild old olive tree wood. He lives on the nice island of Evoia.

Packaging and wrapping: We offer all our “kombolois” wrapped up in a nice traditional Greek manner, using natural materials (fabric, ribbons, etc) and avoiding plastic bags or synthetics. We believe our wrapping is ideal for a gift.

Our prices: We believe our prices are the best possible for the high quality and the secured originality of our “kombolois”.

We can afford to sell in good prices because we buy ourselves, in our country, directly from the producers.

Guarantee: We guarantee that all our “kombolois”  are made of real olive tree wood and crafted by the Greek craftsman Mr. John Mpitakos.

We are happy to fully refund you if you prove that our “kombolois” are not of real olive tree wood or not crafted by the Greek craftsman Mr. John Mpitakos!!