Handfasting Cords

Fall in Love with the
Original Wedding Ceremony Tradition.
Tying the Knot!

What is a Handfasting?

Deluxe Handfasting Cord

Deluxe Handfasting Cord binding a Pagan couple during their wedding ceremony in a forest in Co. Meath. Using material and flowers from the brides wedding dress, diamante chains, charms and beads including colours of significance, this Deluxe Handfasting Cord was created by Vanessa at Aisle Do! Wedding Services, Ireland. Photo credit: © MIAN Photography, Ireland

Handfasting is a beautiful element incorporated into a wedding ceremony. A 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 were brought together, symbolically bound to have a braided cord or coloured ribbon tied around their hands by the celebrant in marriage. The term “Tying the Knot” comes from the tradition of Handfasting.

In many cases colours of these ribbons or cords in traditional Celtic Handfasting have a special meaning and by incorporating these colours that bind the couple's wrists into a Handfasting cord, they are invoking these very special meanings.

The Handfasting cords themselves can either be several colors twisted into one cord and then used for a single cord ceremony or each color can be draped individually as in the multi cord Handfasting. The couple may choose four to six colors or more if children are involved, that represent what they feel are the most important to them in their marriage.

Contact me to discuss what you would like in your cord, include pendents, material from your wedding dress or loved one, add a loved one charm or something else of significance that is important to the both of you.

Here are some of the meanings attached to the colors:

Red - will, love, strength, fertility, courage, health, vigor, passion
Orange - encouragement, adaptability, stimulation, attraction, plenty, kindness.
Yellow - attraction, charm, confidence, balance, harmony
Green - fertility, luck, prosperity, nurturing, beauty, health, love
Dark Blue -for a safe journey, longevity & strength
Light Blue - tranquility, understanding, patience, health
Purple - healing, health, strength, power, progress
Black - strength, empowerment, wisdom/vision, success, pure love
White - spiritual purity, truth, peace, serenity and devotion
Gray - balance, neutrality, used in erasing, canceling, neutralizing, and return to the universe without repercussion
Pink - love, unity, honor, truth, romance, happiness
Brown - for healing , skills & talent, nurturing, home & hearth, the earth.
Silver - for creativity, inspiration & vision, and protection.
Gold - for unity, longevity, prosperity, strength.