Handfasting Ceremony in Wedding and Its History
A handfasting ceremony is a wedding ritual that physically represents the spiritual union of a marrying couple. In a handfasting ceremony, couples face each other while a rope, ribbon, cord, or other binding material is used to tie their hands together. This symbolizes their commitment, love, and connection to each other. The term “handfasting” comes from the Old Norse word “hand-festa”, which means “to strike a bargain by joining hands” . Here is some information about the handfasting ceremony and its history.
The History of Handfasting Ceremony
The handfasting ceremony has its roots in ancient Celtic tradition and dates as far back as 7000 B.C. In ancient Ireland, when two people chose to be married, they partook in a handfasting ceremony with a priest. This signified their engagement, which typically lasted one year. Once the year was up, the couple returned to the priest and declared if they were going to get married or separate . The handfasting ceremony was also a way of making a contract with the beloved, as well as with the community and the gods .
The handfasting ceremony was also part of all Pagan and Wiccan celebrations, dating hundreds of years . It was considered a sacred rite that honored the elements of nature and the divine forces. The handfasting ceremony was often performed outdoors, under a canopy or an arch, and involved various rituals such as lighting candles, casting circles, invoking deities, blessing the couple, and exchanging vows and rings .
The handfasting ceremony became less popular after the spread of Christianity, which replaced it with the church wedding. However, it was still practiced in some regions, such as Scotland, where it was recognized as a legal form of marriage until 1939 2. The handfasting ceremony also inspired some expressions such as “tying the knot” and “giving one’s hand in marriage” .
The handfasting ceremony has experienced a revival in recent years, especially among couples who want to have a more personalized and meaningful wedding. It is also seen as a way of honoring one’s heritage or spiritual beliefs, or celebrating one’s diversity and uniqueness. The handfasting ceremony can be performed by anyone who is authorized to officiate weddings, such as a priest, a minister, a rabbi, or a celebrant .
How to Have a Handfasting Ceremony
There is no one right way to have a handfasting ceremony, as it can be customized to fit the couple’s preferences and style. However, there are some common elements that most handfasting ceremonies share:
Choosing the material: The couple can choose any material that they like for their handfasting cord or ribbon. It can be made of fabric, leather, rope, lace, or anything else that is flexible and durable. Some couples may choose to have multiple cords or ribbons of different colors that represent different qualities or aspects of their relationship, such as love, trust, passion, friendship, etc.
Choosing the method: The couple can decide how they want to have their hands tied together during the ceremony. It can be as simple as wrapping around a single knot or tying them into a stunning infinity knot . Some couples may also choose to have their hands tied in different ways for different parts of the ceremony, such as for the vows or for the blessing .
Choosing the timing: The couple can decide when they want to have their handfasting ceremony in relation to their wedding ceremony. It can be done before or after the exchange of vows and rings, or it can be integrated into the main ceremony itself. Some couples may also choose to have their handfasting ceremony on a separate day or occasion from their wedding ceremony .
Choosing the participants: The couple can decide who they want to involve in their handfasting ceremony. It can be done by themselves with the help of their officiant or minister, or it can include other people such as their parents, family members, friends, or children. Some couples may also choose to have their guests participate by holding or passing the cord or ribbon around them .
A handfasting ceremony is a beautiful and symbolic way of celebrating one’s marriage and expressing one’s love and commitment. It is also a way of honoring one’s history and culture, or creating one’s own tradition and meaning. A handfasting ceremony can be adapted to any type of wedding, whether it is religious or secular, formal or casual, large or small. A handfasting ceremony can make any wedding more memorable and special.
Learn more:
1. wedding-spot.com
2. brides.com
3. weddingwire.com
4. theknot.com
