What Is PLUR? Peace Love Unity Respect Explained
PLUR isn’t just a slogan, it’s the heartbeat of rave culture. Standing for Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect, PLUR is more than words; it’s a mindset, a way of connecting with others through kindness, acceptance, and positive energy.
From underground dance floors to massive EDM festivals, PLUR has shaped the spirit of the rave scene for decades. It’s expressed through music, shared experiences, kandi bracelets, and even a special handshake that symbolizes trust and connection.
In this blog, we’ll break down the meaning of PLUR, explore its origin and rise in rave culture, and teach you how to perform the iconic PLUR handshake. Whether you're new to the scene or just want to embrace the lifestyle more deeply, this guide covers everything you need to know.
PLUR Definition & Meaning
PLUR stands for Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect—four core values that define the culture and community of raving. These words aren’t just ideals; they guide how ravers treat each other, share space, and build a sense of belonging on and off the dance floor.
What Does PLUR Stand For? (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect)
Each word in PLUR carries its own weight.
- Peace is about creating a safe, non-judgmental environment for everyone.
- Love encourages unconditional acceptance and positivity.
- Unity reminds us that we’re all connected through music, no matter our background.
- Respect ensures personal space, consent, and appreciation for one another.
Together, they form a code of conduct for the rave community—a promise to support, uplift, and protect each other.
Origins of PLUR – From PLUM to Movement
The roots of PLUR go back to the early 1990s during the rise of the underground acid house scene in the U.S., particularly in New York. The term was popularized by DJ Frankie Bones, who promoted a message of “Peace, Love, Unity” after a fight broke out during one of his warehouse sets. He shouted those words into the mic, urging ravers to respect the vibe.
Originally known as PLU, it later evolved into PLUR with the addition of Respect—a value embraced by online rave communities in the late '90s and early 2000s. As the culture grew, “Respect” became essential for supporting inclusivity, safety, and mutual care in an ever-expanding crowd.
Why PLUR Matters at Raves & Festivals?
At raves and music festivals, where thousands of people gather to dance, celebrate, and escape the everyday, PLUR acts as the foundation for connection and harmony. These four values create a space where everyone feels welcome, no matter who they are or where they come from. It’s not just about the beats—it’s about the energy you bring and the respect you show.
Peace (Setting a Vibe of Safety)
Peace means more than the absence of conflict—it’s about creating a calm, open atmosphere where people can express themselves freely. In rave culture, peace encourages everyone to feel safe, respected, and free from judgment.
Love (Gestures, Hugs, Sharing Energy)
Love shows up in the way ravers look out for each other. It’s in the hugs, kandi exchanges, shared water bottles, and simple acts of kindness. Love fuels the emotional connection that keeps rave communities close-knit and uplifting.
Unity (Music Bringing Diverse Crowds Together)
Raves bring people of all backgrounds under one roof for a single purpose: to feel the music. Unity is what breaks down barriers—race, gender, status—and reminds everyone they’re part of something bigger than themselves.
Respect (Honoring Personal Space & Consent)
Respect is at the core of every interaction. Whether it's asking before taking photos, not pushing through the crowd, or checking in on someone who looks unwell—respect protects the vibe and ensures everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
The PLUR Handshake – How to Do It Perfectly?
The PLUR handshake isn’t just a greeting—it’s a heartfelt exchange rooted in the values of Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. Often used during kandi bracelet swaps, this ritual is a special part of rave culture that symbolizes trust, friendship, and connection. Each step of the handshake reflects one of PLUR’s four pillars, creating a moment of genuine human interaction in the middle of the music and lights.
Before you start, it’s common (but not mandatory) to wear kandi—colorful, handmade bead bracelets made and traded by ravers. These bracelets carry personal meaning and are shared as tokens of appreciation during the handshake. Even if you're new to the scene, participating in a PLUR handshake is a fun, welcoming way to meet fellow ravers.
Step 1: Peace
Hold up a peace sign (index and middle fingers) and gently connect your fingers with the other person’s peace sign. This initiates the ritual and represents mutual calm and understanding.
Step 2: Love
Keeping the peace, fingers together, curve your hand into half a heart. The other person mirrors your shape, forming a full heart with both hands combined. This represents love, acceptance, and shared positivity.
Step 3: Unity
Now interlock your fingers with the other person’s. Palms touch and fingers weave together, symbolizing unity through connection—two individuals becoming part of one shared vibe or moment.
Step 4: Respect
While still interlocked, slide a kandi bracelet from your wrist to theirs, and vice versa. This gesture of giving represents respect. It’s not about value, it’s about intention, creativity, and energy behind the exchange. Many like to finish with a hug or fist bump to seal the moment with mutual appreciation.
Optional Finish: The Hug or Introduction
To wrap it up, most ravers give a friendly hug or say their name and a kind word. The exchange becomes more than just bracelets—it becomes the start of a new connection.
The PLUR handshake is known by many names, Kandi Kiss, Raver’s Shake, or simply the PLUR trade, but No matter what you call it, the message is always the same: spread peace, share love, build unity, and show respect.
Kandi Bracelets & the PLUR Tradition
Kandi bracelets are one of the most recognizable symbols of rave culture. These colorful, beaded accessories aren’t just for style—they carry meaning, memories, and a deep connection to the PLUR lifestyle. Each bracelet is usually handmade and often features lettered beads spelling out messages, nicknames, or positive affirmations.
Wearing kandi is a way to express creativity, spread good vibes, and show you're part of the community. But more importantly, these bracelets are meant to be traded—usually during the PLUR handshake, as a symbol of shared energy and mutual respect. This ritual turns a simple bracelet exchange into a meaningful moment that reflects Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect.
Whether you’re making kandi at home or receiving one for the first time at a festival, it becomes a keepsake of a connection made on the dancefloor. It's more than a bracelet—it's a memory wrapped in color.
PLUR-Inspired Gear & Symbols
PLUR-inspired accessories and symbols are a big part of how ravers express their identity and values. These items don’t just complete the look—they represent a deeper connection to the rave community. Whether you’re exchanging a bracelet or waving a flag, every piece helps spread the message of Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect.
- PLUR Bracelets: Colorful beaded wristbands, often handmade and traded as part of the PLUR handshake.
- PLUR Flags: Banners displaying the full message (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect), often seen at campsites or raised above crowds.
- Custom Kandi: Personalized bracelets with names, affirmations, or inside jokes, used to form instant bonds with others.
- PLUR Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, and rave gear printed with PLUR slogans or icons.
- Glow & LED Gear: Accessories that light up, adding visual energy while symbolizing the vibrant, unified spirit of the rave scene.
FAQs
What is PLUR rave culture?
PLUR rave culture centers around the values of peace, love, unity, and respect. It encourages acceptance, kindness, and positive energy in the rave and EDM community.
How do you do the PLUR handshake step-by-step?
The handshake includes four steps: peace sign, forming a heart, interlocking fingers, and trading kandi bracelets. It often ends with a hug or friendly intro.
What’s the meaning behind PLUR bracelets?
PLUR bracelets, or kandi, are handmade bead bracelets traded during raves. They symbolize connection, friendship, and shared positive energy.
Can I live by PLUR outside of raves?
Absolutely. PLUR is a mindset you can apply daily—being kind, inclusive, respectful, and mindful in every interaction, not just at festivals.
Bringing PLUR Into Everyday Life
PLUR doesn’t end when the music stops, it can guide how you move through the world every day. Choosing peace over conflict, showing love in small actions, embracing unity in diverse spaces, and respecting people’s boundaries can all make a difference.
When you treat strangers with kindness, support your friends without judgment, and uplift others in your community, you’re living by PLUR. Whether you're at a rave or just walking through life, these four values help create a more accepting and positive world.
