The Origin of Black Friday – Between History, Hysteria, and Global Awareness
Written by: Echipa Druzy
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Time to read 10 min
What is the origin of Black Friday?
The origin of Black Friday has its roots in the 1950s, in Philadelphia (USA), where the local police used the term to describe the crowd and chaos on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Later, merchants changed its meaning: "Black" came to symbolize the transition from loss ("red") to profit ("black"), marking the beginning of the global discount season.
There is one day in the year that concentrates everything that means emotion, desire, and speed in the modern world: Black Friday. A day when millions of people, from different corners of the world, stare at screens, searching for the best deal.
But beyond discounts and full shopping carts, Black Friday tells a deeper story — one about how our society has evolved, about the mad pace of the desire to have, and paradoxically, about the need to rediscover balance.
Source: Unsplash – Photo by Shmulik Elias
Discover the origin of Black Friday – from the chaos of the streets in Philadelphia to the global phenomenon of discounts. Find out how a day of chaos transformed into a symbol of modern consumption and what it means today for shoppers and brands that choose consciously
1. The roots of Black Friday – the chaos in Philadelphia and the beginning of an era
The history of Black Friday begins in the 1950s, in Philadelphia, USA. After Thanksgiving, the city was overwhelmed by crowds coming to watch the traditional American football games and start Christmas shopping.
The local police named that day "Black Friday" for a simple reason: the traffic was hellish, the stores were stormed, and chaos had become a constant of that period.
In the following decades, merchants understood the huge potential of this hustle and decided to turn the disorder into a marketing strategy.
They redefined the expression: "Black" no longer symbolized chaos, but the accounting shift from loss (red) to profit (black). Thus, the idea of Black Friday as a day of gain was born – not just for customers, but also for companies.
Source: Unsplash
2. How the phenomenon spread worldwide
What was once an American tradition quickly transformed into a global event.
In Canada, Black Friday was naturally adopted, following the model from south of the border.
In the United Kingdom, the first official edition took place in 2010, triggering scenes of excitement in large stores and turning into a media phenomenon.
In France, the term was received with reservations — many criticized it as a symbol of the "Americanization" of commerce, but in just a few years it became a shopping celebration there as well.
In Germany and the Nordic countries, the concept was reinterpreted: stores opted for more discreet campaigns, sometimes spread over several days ("Black Week"), to avoid chaos.
Today, Black Friday exists in almost every corner of the world, but with different cultural nuances.
In Japan, it is more organized and focused on technological products.
In Brazil, it has become an occasion for online offers, in a digital festival atmosphere.
In India, the phenomenon was intertwined with the local festival season, becoming a moment of spiritual and material renewal.
Black Friday, essentially, has adapted to the rhythm of each society, reflecting the culture and mentality of each people: from the German calm to the South American exuberance.
Source: Unsplash – Photo by Jeyakumaran Mayooresan
3. Black Friday Hysteria – Between Frenzy and the Pleasure of Discovery
People have a fascinating relationship with the idea of a "limited offer".
Psychologists say that price reduction activates the same brain areas responsible for reward and satisfaction.
That's why on Black Friday, a real dopamine storm is triggered.
The images have become iconic: people waiting in front of stores, servers crashing, digital carts filled in seconds.
But beyond the apparent excess, there is also a collective joy — the joy of modern hunting, the feeling of "we captured the perfect moment".
It is a contemporary manifestation of the instinct to find, to gather, to obtain — only today, the trophy is a 50% discount.
However, this euphoria comes with a price.
As the adrenaline fades, the regret of impulsive shopping appears. Many people ask themselves the next day: "Did I really need this?"
In this sense, Black Friday becomes a metaphor for the modern world — a constant swing between excess and reflection, between the joy of having and the need to feel.
Source: Unsplash
4. Global impact – a mirror of modern society
Every generation and every culture reflects its own values in the way it experiences Black Friday.
In the West, it is a symbol of abundance.
In the East, it often becomes an opportunity for conscious shopping and renewal.
In the digital environment, it has transformed into a collective ritual – a celebration of clicks and competition for the lowest price.
Sociologists talk about Black Friday as a mirror of modern anxiety: the desire not to miss anything, the fear of being left behind, competition masked in enthusiasm. In a way, this day shows how strongly the culture of speed and consumption conditions us.
But, at the same time, a new trend is taking shape — conscious consumption, slow shopping, oriented towards real value.
More and more people choose not to buy impulsively but with intention.
To seek not quantity, but quality. Not the discount, but resonance.
Source: Unsplash
5. Black Friday and the change of perspective – meaningful shopping
Perhaps the real challenge of this day is not to find the best deal, but to rediscover the meaning of choice.
In a world that promotes speed, it can be an act of courage to choose patience . Buy not to fill a void, but to honor a connection. Invest in things that tell a story, carry energy, and last beyond the sale season.
Black Friday can thus become a day of conscious choices. A day when you allow yourself to buy only what resonates with you, what has lasting value, and what truly represents you. Not a rush, but a meaningful pause in the noise of the modern world.
Source: Unsplash
6. Black Friday through the eyes of sellers - balance between generosity and sustainability
For a brand just starting out, every Black Friday is a lesson in balance. Between the desire to give and the need to remain sustainable. Between the joy of seeing happy people and the pressure to align with a market dominated by numbers.
At Druzy, we do not see this period as a price competition, but as a moment of gratitude and giving. It is the time of year when we choose to give more — out of respect for our customers and love for what we do.
Yes, it is a challenge to maintain a balance between costs, work, and real value. But behind every discount is the sincere intention to share, not to lose.
For us, Black Friday is not a race, but an invitation to discover. A way to say thank you for those who believe in the natural beauty of crystals and in the authentic energy of each piece.
True satisfaction for a conscious seller is not measured in sales volumes, but in the joy of each person who feels they have chosen something meaningful.
In every thank-you message, in every photo with a received crystal, in every moment we know we've brought a little light into a hectic day.
At Druzy, we see Black Friday not as a race for prices, but as an opportunity to give consciously. Discover how we chose to live this day in our own way, in the article Black Friday Druzy 2025
Source: Unsplash
7. Conclusion
Black Friday originated from the chaos of the streets of Philadelphia and, over time, has become a day when the whole world pulses in unison — a day of desire, speed, and offers. But beyond the fever of discounts and dizzying numbers, this day speaks, more than ever, about choice.
For some, Black Friday is a moment of adrenaline, a modern hunt for ephemeral trophies. For others, it's a celebration of saving, a game of strategy and patience.
However, for those who choose consciously, Black Friday becomes a space for reflection — a moment when the price fades, and the meaning remains.
The real value does not lie in the crossed-out tag, but in the intention behind the purchase. In the energy with which we choose, in the emotion we put into each object, in the respect for everything that has been created with patience and care.
The true discount is not the one from the price, but the one from the noise of the world — when you choose with clarity, calmness, and gratitude.
In a world that moves fast, authentic beauty remains where time flows slowly. In a crystal that has formed in the silence of the earth, in objects that carry meaning, in choices made with heart.
Just as nature does not rush the process of creation, neither should we rush joy.
If you choose to add a crystal to your life during this time, let it remind you of exactly this: that everything truly valuable is not bought in haste, but discovered over time.
And then, Black Friday is no longer a race, but a celebration of balance — between desire and calm, between material and spirit, between chaos and harmony.
Black Friday originated in the 1950s in Philadelphia (USA), where the police used the term to describe the chaos after Thanksgiving. Later, retailers gave it a positive meaning: the day when stores go "from red to black," meaning from loss to profit.
2. What does the term "Black Friday" mean?
Initially, "Black Friday" referred to a day of urban chaos. Nowadays, it symbolizes the moment when stores balance their budgets through record sales. The word "black" refers to the black ink used in accounting ledgers for profit.
3. When does Black Friday take place?
Black Friday is celebrated annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving, which is the fourth Friday in November. It is considered the official start of the Christmas shopping season.
4. How did Black Friday become an international tradition?
After the 1980s, the phenomenon spread from the United States to Canada, the United Kingdom, and then worldwide. Each country has added its own style: online campaigns, extended discounts, or more calm and sustainable approaches.
5. Why is Black Friday so popular?
Because it activates two strong emotions: the desire to save and the fear of missing out on a good deal. This combination creates an intense psychological effect that prompts people to buy impulsively.
6. What psychological effects does Black Friday have on shoppers?
Black Friday triggers an "offer frenzy" — a reaction based on dopamine, the reward hormone. Finding a discount creates instant pleasure, but is often followed by the regret of unnecessary purchases.
7. What does Black Friday mean for sellers?
For sellers, Black Friday is a period of maximum intensity. It means months of preparation, coordination, and work behind every discount. For small brands, it is a challenge between generosity and sustainability.
8. How does Druzy approach the Black Friday period?
For us, Black Friday is not a price race, but a period in which we choose to give with gratitude. Each discount is a gesture of thanks for our community and an invitation to discover authentic crystals, chosen with meaning.
9. Is Black Friday just a day for material shopping?
Not necessarily. In a symbolic sense, Black Friday also speaks about letting go and renewal — about leaving behind what is no longer necessary and making room for things that bring value and balance.
10. How is Black Friday experienced in other countries?
In Japan, it is a day of technology and perfect organization. In Brazil, a festival of online deals. In the Nordic countries, a calm week of sustainable shopping. Each culture has shaped Black Friday according to its own rhythm.
11. Why is it called "Black Friday"?
Because historically, "black" was associated with profit in accounting ledgers. Merchants wrote losses in red and profits in black. Thus, Black Friday became the symbol of the day when businesses go into the black.
12. How can you shop consciously on Black Friday?
By planning. Think about what you really need, avoid impulse buying, and look for products with lasting value. Choose authentic items, created with intention — not just discounts, but investments in quality and meaning.
13. Is Black Friday a sustainable period?
It depends on the approach. Massive shopping can enhance unnecessary consumption, but brands that promote natural and sustainable products turn Black Friday into a moment of balance between economy and consciousness.
14. What does Black Friday symbolize in the modern world?
It symbolizes the contrast between abundance and restraint, between desire and balance. It is a mirror of how we live and choose — a day that challenges us to find meaning in our daily actions.
15. What can Black Friday teach us about balance?
That true beauty is not measured in price, but in intention. That offers come and go, but what remains is the choice made with heart, with gratitude, and with respect for nature — just like the slow formation of a crystal.
✍️ About the author: Article written by the editorial team druzy.eu – enthusiasts of crystals, minerals, and their ancient stories. All information is carefully researched to offer you an authentic and profound experience.