{"id":17733,"date":"2024-04-25T06:48:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-25T06:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.serendipitydiamonds.com\/blog\/?p=17733"},"modified":"2024-04-25T14:12:07","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T14:12:07","slug":"celtic-wedding-rings-and-a-insight-into-a-handfasting-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.serendipitydiamonds.com\/blog\/celtic-wedding-rings-and-a-insight-into-a-handfasting-ceremony\/","title":{"rendered":"Handfasting: A Tradition Bound in History and Love"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Handfasting is an act carried out during a wedding ceremony, where the hands of the the bride and groom are tied together with ribbon, material or rope, symbolising their commitment to each other. Bound hands represent love, accompanied by words, poetry or music accompanying the ritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happens at a handfasting ceremony?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Handfasting became widely accepted as a tradition originating amongst Celts with nature-related rituals and a spiritual tradition<\/a>. The hands of the couple are tied together either by crossing them or side by side. A celebrant then conducts either a religious or cultural ceremony, depending very much on the beliefs and preferences of the couple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The History and Meaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But where did this tradition originate? We believe Handfasting originated from Celtic tradition before the adoption of Christianity. In fact, the tradition pre-dates the use of Wedding rings. In the same way as our wedding bands, the ceremony materialised the eternal binding of each person within the relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally, couples used lengths of chord, material or rope to bind hands together to symbolise their union and love. Hands remained tied until midnight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afterwards, the couple would then be escorted to the bedchamber to consummate their union. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Handfasting\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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How popular is handfasting today?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But, how popular is handfasting today? Couples with a Celtic heritage often keep this ancient tradition. In fact, couples often turn to traditional aspects of a wedding to add variety to their own big day. For some couples, an outdoor wedding within nature suits the handfasting element held within the warmer Summer months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colourful cords for the ceremony<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Handfasting ribbons consisted of three cords traditionally used to tie around the hands. The colour of the cords varies due to different factors. For example, the colour scheme associated with the wedding. In other circumstances, colours carry a personal significance chosen by the couple. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celtic wedding rings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As this is a Celtic tradition, what better to go for than Celtic-inspired wedding rings? We can do this in various options. Our most popular range for this is the Titanium range. As shown below, just one option available is to have a Celtic-inspired pattern engraved onto the rings. We can also create this onto a precious metal wedding ring<\/a> if preferred. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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