The Long, Lived History of the Fibula

February 08, 2026

A small object with a very big story.

Before buttons.
Before zippers.
Before fast fashion even thought about existing.

There was the fibula.

At its most basic, a fibula is a pin or clasp used to fasten clothing. But calling it just a fastener is like calling jewelry “just decoration.” From its earliest forms, the fibula has lived at the intersection of function, identity, and meaning.

What exactly is a fibula?

The word fibula comes from Latin, meaning “clasp” or “fastener.” Structurally, it’s the ancestor of the modern safety pin—designed to hold garments together while being worn daily, often for years, sometimes for a lifetime.

But unlike today’s purely utilitarian closures, fibulas were intentionally visible. They sat at the shoulder, chest, or heart. They were meant to be seen.

And that’s where things get interesting.

From necessity to ornament

The earliest fibulas appear during the Bronze Age, around 2000 BCE, spreading across Europe and the Mediterranean. At first, they were simple wire forms—practical solutions for fastening cloaks and tunics.

Over time, those simple forms evolved. As metalworking advanced, so did the fibula’s role. What began as necessity slowly became adornment.

Different cultures shaped fibulas in distinct ways, often making them immediately recognizable markers of place, status, or belonging.

Fibulas across cultures 

Ancient Rome

Roman fibulas were everywhere. Soldiers, citizens, and officials all wore them, with styles signaling rank and role. Some were purely practical; others were lavishly decorated with enamel, gemstones, or symbolic motifs. A fibula could quietly announce who you were long before you spoke.

Celtic culture

Celtic fibulas often leaned into fluid, organic forms—curves, spirals, and animal imagery. Many were richly expressive, blurring the line between adornment and talisman. These weren’t just closures; they carried meaning, protection, and personal identity.

Ancient Greece

Greek fibulas were commonly used to fasten peplos garments. While some were simple, others featured refined decorative elements, reinforcing the idea that even daily objects deserved beauty and intention.

Viking Age

In Viking culture, fibulas were often worn in pairs and played a central role in women’s dress. Oval brooches, in particular, were both functional and symbolic—anchoring garments while signaling cultural identity and craftsmanship.

More than a clasp

What I love most about fibulas is how intimate they are.

They weren’t removed at the end of the day like modern accessories. They lived on the body. They bore the marks of wear. They absorbed the rhythms of daily life—movement, labor, travel, rest.

In many cultures, fibulas were passed down. Repaired. Reworked. Cherished.

They held clothing together, yes. But they also held stories.

From ancient object to modern talisman

At some point, buttons replaced fibulas. Then zippers took over. The fibula quietly stepped out of daily necessity.

But it never disappeared.

Today, fibulas re-emerge not because we need them—but because we’re drawn to what they represent: slowness, intention, history, and connection. A return to objects that do more than one thing.

A modern fibula still fastens. Still anchors. Still sits close to the heart.

And perhaps that’s why it continues to feel so relevant—especially now.

A small object with staying power

The fibula reminds us that beauty and utility were never meant to be separate. That adornment can be practical. That objects can carry meaning simply by being worn, used, and loved over time.

It’s a humble form.
An ancient one.
And somehow, still deeply current.

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Also in Blog