Handfasting

 Image courtesy of Eellevee's Photostreeam 

Handfasting 

Handfasting is a means for two people to “come together as One.”  It is an alternative to the traditional marriage ceremony.  Handfasting is meant to signify a couple’s "striking a bargain by joining hands."  It dates back to mid-1700’s Europe when very few unions were sanctified in or by a church or synagogue. In certain remote areas, it was a simple way for two people to marry when no clergy or other officials could be present.  In such cases, the couple merely expressed their desire to be joined as one, and their union was considered a legally binding contract.  The hand fasting ceremony typically took place in an open field or in the woods. 

Many an ancient Celtic legend of Ireland and Scotland reference lovers who were united together or "tied the knot" in a handfasting ceremony.  In some Scottish cultures handfasting was said to be a marriage of a "year and a day."  If, at the end of the year, the couple found that they were incompatible, and there were no children, they could part.  Otherwise, they would agree to remain together, and the marriage then became a legal and life-long bond.  In other cultures, it was a complete, fully binding ceremony from the start.

The Romans customarily created a swag of magnolia, elder and roses.  The swag was then wrapped around the couple's wrists to signify love and fidelity.

In various hand fasting ceremonies, the couple has their wrists loosely tied together for part of the ceremony.  This is done using ribbon, cord, or specially-embroidered cloths or handkerchiefs crafted in various colors.  Each color has its own significance:

Red: passion, strength, lust, fertility
Orange: encouragement, attraction, kindness, plenty
Yellow: charm, confidence, joy, balance
Green: finances, fertility, charity, prosperity, health
Blue: tranquility, patience, devotion, sincerity
Purple: Power, piety, sanctity, sentimentality
Black: strength, wisdom, vision, success
White: purity, concentration, meditation, peace
Gray: neutrality, canceling, balance
Pink: unity, honor, truth, romance, happiness
Brown: earth, grounding, talent, telepathy, home
Silver: treasure, values, creativity, inspiration
Gold: energy, wealth, intelligence, longevity

Handfasting is becoming popular once again for couples seeking unusual and Spiritual ways to honor their love.  Handfasting’s modern-day resurgence is due, in part, to the movie “Braveheart,” in which William Wallace and his girlfriend Murron are joined together with a handfasting ceremony.  This is especially true in Scotland where the movie is based.  Some couples even choose to incorporate this ancient tradition of handfasting into their church ceremony, where the Celtic Catholic or Episcopal priest uses the end of his stole to “tie” the couple’s wrists while they exchange vows.