Pra Jiad (also spelled prajied, prajiad, or prachiat) are the sacred braided armbands worn on the biceps of a Muay Thai fighter throughout a bout. Unlike the Mongkon — the headband, which is removed before the first round — the Pra Jiad stay on for the entire fight and are considered active spiritual objects with protective function. Traditionally one Pra Jiad is given by the fighter's mother or close family member, and another is given by the head trainer at the gym. They are often blessed by a monk and may contain a small folded paper bearing a yantra (sacred geometric design) or a strand of cloth from a meaningful person. The cultural weight is real: a Pra Jiad is not jewelry, it is not decoration, and it is not interchangeable between fighters. Foreign fighters given a Pra Jiad by a Thai gym have been formally accepted into that gym's lineage. Treat it with respect: do not let it touch the ground, do not lend it casually, and do not wear it outside of training or fight contexts.