What is the red string of fate?

The red string of fate is a piece of East Asian folklore that originated with a Chinese legend. The legend states that certain individuals are born with a red string tied around one of their ankles connecting them to a person they are destined to meet.

According to the legend, Yue Xia Lao, a god of marriage and love, connects people with the red string. For this reason, the legend has taken on strong romantic connotations, similar to the concept of soul mates in Western culture. However, many versions of the legend state that the red thread can connect any two people who are destined to be important to each other.