Because the name is an important symbol representing a person's soul, inscribing a person's name, tying it with a double knot and sealing it within the Ren is an effective protective amulet against malevolent influences. So long as you wear this amulet, harm can be held at bay. It can also be used in other way, as a pairing symbol for instance, making two Ren and including the name and some token of your loved one to keep them close or even as a binding to prevent someone from doing harm.
- Plastic tubing, 2 1/2 in long x 1/2 in wide with 1/16 in wall
- 1 1/2 in x 2 1/4 in piece of paper
- ink
- electric drill with 1/4 in bit
- pliers
- pot of boiling water
- thread (of appropriate color to the subject or the task)
- toothpick
- jump link
On the paper, write your name, or the name of the person the Ren is being made for. Protective herbs, a lock of your hair (or the hair of the person you are making the Ren for), or anything else that you feel will fit inside the tube can be included. Roll the paper into a tube and tie it with a double knot.
Drop the plastic tubing in the water and boil until it is nearly as soft as al dente spaghetti. Lifting the tubing from the water with the pliers, crimp one edge quickly before the plastic cools and run it under cold water so that it won't open again as it cools.
Using the toothpick, push the rolled paper into the tube, pushing it all the way down to the crimped edge. Carefully holding the tube with the pliers, immerse half the tube in the boiling water again for approximately three minutes.
When the tubing has softened sufficiently, quickly crimp the open end with the pliers, making sure it is sealed, and run it under cold water again. Drill a hole in the tube and attach a jump link to it to be attached to a chain.