Have you ever wondered where the saying ‘tying the knot’ or ‘giving one’s hand in marriage’ come from? ” They both stem back to the ancient tradition of handfasting, originating from the Old Norse ‘hand-festa’ – ‘striking a bargain by joining hands.’
In a wedding ceremony Handfasting involves lightly binding the hands of a couple together using a cord, rope, ribbons or even a scarf to signify a couple coming together as one.
It’s now a popular addition to a ceremony – adding a new way to honour a couple’s love and commitment.
Handfasting was practised by both the ancient Greeks and Romans, with garlands made of flowers wrapped round a couple’s wrists signifying love and fidelity. Celtic handfasting, common in Ireland and Scotland was the way a couple was ‘officially’ married before the church introduced wedding ceremonies.
We have the movie, Braveheart, which featured a handfasting, to thank for spearheading this colourful revival in tradition.
In a wedding ceremony Handfasting involves lightly binding the hands of a couple together using a cord, rope, ribbons or even a scarf to signify a couple coming together as one.
It’s now a popular addition to a ceremony – adding a new way to honour a couple’s love and commitment.
Handfasting was practised by both the ancient Greeks and Romans, with garlands made of flowers wrapped round a couple’s wrists signifying love and fidelity. Celtic handfasting, common in Ireland and Scotland was the way a couple was ‘officially’ married before the church introduced wedding ceremonies.
We have the movie, Braveheart, which featured a handfasting, to thank for spearheading this colourful revival in tradition.
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