Tying the Knot

Have you ever wondered where the term “tying the knot” comes from? No, well I’m gonna tell you any way. More than likely the term comes from the Celtic wedding rituals of handfasting. Dated as early as the 16th century, handfasting was where the hands of the bride and groom were tied together for a trial marriage of one year. If the couple stayed together one day past the year mark then they would be together forever, corny huh? Well, it was the 16th century.

Handfasting ceremonies are rare, but are still conducted today. Today they are more symbolic. A couple will have their hands bound (usually by the officiant) during their wedding ceremony, the officiant will often quote something like “As this knot is tied, so are your lives now bound. May this knot remain tied for as long as love shall last. The woven cord and fibers symbolizes all the hopes of your family and friends for your new life together."

Many couples will keep their hands bound throughout the entire wedding day, most until their first dance.

So what started as a ritual is a symbolic sign of love that couple show to their family and friends their commitment to one another, their commitment to a new life together. That woven cord shows how two lives are woven together to form a bond that make two individuals one strong entity.