CELTIC HANDFASTING
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TYING THE KNOT (LITERALLY)
Ever wondered where the expression “tying the knot” came from?
After all, it’s a pretty specific (and rather random!) saying, in regards to getting hitched, so it must have stemmed from somewhere, right? Well, guess what? It did. And it is as literal as it gets.
Not only that, it dates all the way back to the ancient Celtic handfasting tradition of circa 7000 BC.
What is the celtic ceremony of handfasting?
The Pagan tradition of handfasting may seem bizarre, but in ancient Celtic times, it symbolised the binding of two lives over love, and is still very much a popular tradition in Irish and Scottish weddings today.
The process involves the couple having a wrist bound to their partner’s with a ribbon during the ceremony, usually done by the officiant, and signifies the union of the pair after a period of engagement.
THe history of handfasting
As we’ve established, the ancient wedding tradition of handfasting predates Christianity, and is linked to 7000 BC Ireland.
Because various other cultures and religions have adopted handfasting traditions within their own wedding etiquette, there are nuances regarding the history and procedure, depending on when/where the wedding takes place.
For example, in Medieval England, handfasting would signify being betrothed/engaged, as opposed to representing the beginning of a marriage.
However, sometime during the 18th century, this began to shift, and the process would represent the beginning of a ‘contract’, in which the couple would trial a marriage for a period of a year (usually) and reconvene after that timeframe to decide whether or not to continue being man and wife.
Nowadays, handfasting is purely for ceremonial and romantic purposes, and is often still included in Celtic or Gaelic weddings, or by those with Celtic or Gaelic ancestry, and is by no means binding in terms of being contractual.
How to include celtic pagan wedding traditions (+Handfasting)
If handfasting is something you’d like to include within your wedding, the good news is it’s super easy (and cost-effective) to do so.
Chances are, you’re still planning on exchanging rings, and so, typically, the handfasting ceremony would take place directly before the ring exchange, with the officiator placing the rings on your and your partner’s fingers while the hands are still bound.
You’ll need a ribbon, lace, cord, rope, or some other fabric that serves as binds. Many couples like to choose their bind colour to be in keeping with their wedding colours. Or in the case of the Scottish wedding: clan tartan is often favoured.
That’s it! This tradition doesn’t require an elaborate prop list.
how to perform
a handfasting
There are several ways to perform a handfasting ceremony, and none of them are right or wrong.
First, you need to link hands with your partner. This can be just one or both hands. If it’s the latter, often the celebrant will bind them in a figure of 8 (the infinity symbol) to represent eternity and everlasting love.
The couple will say their vows either during or after their hands have been fastened.
After this, the celebrant will untie the bonds, while explaining that although the ties are being removed physically, spiritually, they will remain in place.
The ceremony will continue/conclude as planned.
That’s it! It is really that simple! Also, many couples like to hold on to their binds as a keepsake from the wedding.
Handfasting tips
As with all wedding traditions, there are a few tips that can make the process smoother.
Consider asking loved ones to make the cords and/or place them onto your hands. This can be a nice way to include loved ones in the ceremony.
Consider practicing the bind you’d like to perform before the ceremony. It can be a bit tricky to figure out where everything goes.
More celtic wedding traditions
Wedding bells
Yup. You read that correctly. Wedding bells aren’t exclusive to Christian weddings, and these types of wedding bells don’t come on a steeple!
On the contrary, these wedding bells are small (think Christmas ornament size) and are given to the bridesmaids to ring while the couple walks down the aisle.
Claddagh Ring
You may not know the name, but you will certainly recognise the Claddagh ring symbolism, which is a crown-wearing love heart encased in two hands.
This is often a gift the couple may receive (perhaps at the bridal shower) to be featured in the wedding in the form of jewellery rings (one for both the bride and groom to wear) or even an ornament.
Although this tradition stemmed in Galway and is, indeed, Celtic, many Celtic traditions mesh with and are adhered to during Scottish weddings.
horseshoes
Iron horseshoes have long been a symbol of good luck, but they also have a history in Celtic weddings. In traditional Irish weddings, the bride would walk down the aisle holding a horseshoe (often adorned with flowers or four-leaf clovers) as a symbol of encouraging good luck into her upcoming marriage. She would have to ensure the horseshoe remains upright, as it is treated like a cup or glass, with the invisible luck “spilling out” if the shoe is turned or knocked.
Celtic handfasting
Q&A
What are the Pagan wedding rituals?
Beyond handfasting, Pagan wedding traditions may include wearing black or dark-coloured attire, handmade crowns or headpieces, the exchange of a sword or dagger, offerings at an altar such as food, wine, flowers or candles, guests standing in a circle around the couple, ceremonies held outdoors in nature, and the burning of bay leaves to invite luck and wishes.
What is the ritual of the four elements Celtic wedding?
Celts are traditionally linked to Paganism, which predates Christianity and is deeply rooted in nature. As a result, Celtic weddings often incorporate the four elements – fire, earth, air, and water – through symbolic gestures such as lighting a candle or sharing a goblet of water.
What were the marriage practices in ancient Celtic?
Unlike many other religion/culture-based unions, traditional Celtic marriages celebrated free will within the nuptials, including the right for one or both parties to separate, meaning it is one of the very few cultures that didn’t encourage the oppression of women through wedlock.
Are wedding traditions Pagan?
Many of the wedding practices we know and love today (including confetti-throwing and, indeed, handfasting) date back to early Pagan times (849–1297 BC).
Do wedding rings have Pagan origins?
Yes and no. While the tradition of exchanging wedding rings isn’t exclusive to Paganism, Pagans believed in the gifting of metal objects (more often than not, a sword or dagger) because the sturdiness of the material was symbolic of the matrimonial bond.
Is handfasting Scottish or Irish?
Technically, because handfasting is a Celtic tradition, that would suggest that it originally stemmed from Ireland. However, it seems that it was very promptly adopted by the Gaelic community, with possible overlaps.
