Fibula is a Latin term that indicates an article used widely in the ancient world. It was used both for personal ornamentation, as jewelry, as well as for the practical purpose of pinning clothing together much as we use the safety pin today. Most fibulae were made of bronze, but the rich could also afford to wear intricately made gold and silver fibulae as well. Some were decorated with glass, bone, amber and other stones.

Fibulae are one of the most characteristic products of Etruscan metallurgy, and have been found in many different excavations, often in tombs among the dead's possessions.

The shape of fibulae evolved over time: from simple-bow fibulae, to twisted-bow shapes, and sanguisuga (leech-shaped) as well as dragon-shaped fibulae.