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The handfasting ceremony is a wedding ritual that involves a couple joining hands and having cords, ribbons, or cloth wrapped around their wrists, hands, or forearms. This tradition has its roots in ancient Celtic, Norse, and Scottish cultures, dating back to 7000 B.C. Today, it is often incorporated into weddings to symbolize the couple's unity, love, and commitment. When planning a handfasting ceremony, one of the most important considerations is the colour of the cords or ribbons used. Different colours hold various meanings and can be chosen to complement the couple's clothing, match the wedding theme, or hold special significance for the couple.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ribbon/cord colour | Blue (loyalty), orange (creativity, compassion, self-expression), red (love, passion, strength), yellow (balance, joy, harmony), green (fertility, luck, health), gold (longevity, unity, wealth) |
| Ribbon/cord material | Soft ribbon, fibre cord, beaded cord, rosaries, woven or braided vines and flowers, cloth, or other materials that are symbolic of your relationship |
| Number of ribbons/cords | One, two, or three, or multiple cords twisted or braided together |
| Length of ribbon/cord | About a yard, to be wrapped around the hands a couple of times |
| Who ties the knot | The officiant or the couple |
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What You'll Learn
Choose colours with special meanings, like red for love and passion
Choosing colours with special meanings is a fun part of planning a wedding. Colours like red, which symbolises love and passion, can be used during a hand-wrapping wedding ceremony.
In a handfasting ceremony, a wedding officiant will say a few words about the meaning of the ritual, before asking the couple to face each other and hold hands. The officiant will then wrap a cord or ribbon around the couple's wrists, hands, or forearms. While the couple's hands are tied, the officiant might talk about their promise to be married and give blessings for the future. The couple may also exchange handfasting vows.
Red is a popular colour choice for weddings, especially in Hindu and Chinese cultures, where it is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. In Hindu culture, red is the colour of the goddess Durga, who represents feminine power and new beginnings. It is also the colour of Mars, which, according to Hindu astrology, is the planet that oversees marriage. In Western cultures, red symbolises love and passion, making it a perfect colour choice for a hand-wrapping wedding ceremony.
In addition to red, other colours with special meanings include gold, which symbolises wealth, power, and eternal love, and purple, which is associated with royalty, luxury, and power. When choosing colours for a hand-wrapping wedding ceremony, consider the meanings of the colours and how they reflect your personality and vision for the celebration.
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Opt for colours that match your wedding theme
The handfasting ceremony is a highly personal ritual, so you can choose any colours you like. You could opt for colours that match your wedding colour scheme or choose colours that have a special significance to you. For example, you could select colours that represent your family or signify something of great personal meaning. A Scottish tartan is a perfect example of this. Alternatively, you could select colours that are special to both of you, such as your mother's favourite colour or your favourite colour.
If you want to incorporate colours with traditional meanings, here are some examples: red symbolises love and passion; yellow symbolises balance, joy and harmony; green represents fertility, luck and health; gold symbolises longevity, unity and wealth; blue symbolises loyalty; and orange symbolises creativity, compassion and self-expression.
You could also get creative with the materials you use. Most couples use soft ribbon or fibre cord for their handfasting, but you can also use beaded cords or rosaries, woven or braided vines and flowers, and other materials that are symbolic of your relationship and love.
Finally, you can decide how many colours to include. If you choose to incorporate colours with specific meanings, you might prefer to use just one or two colours, or you could select a handful of different colours to represent several different meanings.
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Use a different colour for each vow
The handfasting ceremony is a popular choice for couples who want to incorporate a unity ritual into their wedding ceremony. The ritual involves tying a ribbon or cord around the couple's hands as they exchange vows, symbolising their commitment to each other.
When it comes to choosing the colours for the ribbons or cords, there are a few options to consider. One idea is to use a different colour for each vow exchanged during the handfasting ceremony. This approach can add symbolism and meaning to each vow, with the colour chosen representing the theme or sentiment of the vow being made.
For example, if one of the vows is about the couple's loyalty to each other, the ribbon colour could be blue, as it symbolises loyalty. Or, if the vow is about their love and passion for each other, the ribbon could be red. Orange is another option, symbolising creativity, compassion, and self-expression.
Using different-coloured ribbons for each vow can create a visually appealing display and enhance the symbolism of the handfasting ceremony. It also allows for personalisation, with the couple choosing colours that hold special meaning for them or that complement their wedding attire.
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Select colours that represent your family
Selecting colours that represent your family for your hand-wrapping wedding ceremony is a wonderful way to personalise the ritual and involve your family members. Here are some ideas to help you choose the perfect colours:
Family Heritage and Culture
Consider the cultural heritage of your family. For example, if you have Irish or Celtic roots, you may want to incorporate traditional colours such as green, white, and gold, which are often associated with Ireland. You could also include golden shamrocks or a lucky horseshoe, which are considered symbols of luck in Irish culture.
Family Traditions and Heirlooms
Think about any family traditions or heirlooms that you could incorporate into your colour scheme. For instance, if you have a family heirloom dress, veil, or article of clothing, you could use a piece of fabric from it in your hand-wrapping ceremony. This would not only add a special touch but also symbolise the connection between your family and your wedding ceremony.
Family Members' Favourite Colours
Another idea is to involve your family members directly by asking them about their favourite colours. You could choose a colour that is a combination of everyone's favourites or select a few different colours to represent each family member. This approach will make your family feel included and valued during your wedding ceremony.
Symbolic Colours
You can also choose colours that symbolise specific values or traits that you admire in your family. For example, blue symbolises loyalty, orange represents creativity and self-expression, and red signifies love and passion. You can select colours that reflect the strengths and characteristics that unite your family.
Remember, there are no strict rules when it comes to choosing colours for your hand-wrapping wedding ceremony. The most important thing is to select colours that hold personal significance for you and your family, creating a meaningful and memorable experience for everyone involved.
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Choose colours with personal significance, like a loved one's favourite colour
The handfasting ceremony is an ancient Celtic tradition that dates back to 7000 B.C. It is a symbolic ritual that involves wrapping ribbons or cords around the couple's hands or wrists to signify their unity and love. During the ceremony, the couple can choose to incorporate their wedding vows or exchange personal messages, prayers, or readings.
When selecting colours for the handfasting ceremony, it is essential to consider the personal significance of the colours to the couple. One way to make the ceremony even more meaningful is to choose colours that hold a special place in the couple's hearts. This could be a loved one's favourite colour, honouring their memory and including them in the celebration. For example, if the couple shares a beloved grandmother who passed away, they might choose her favourite colour, purple, as one of the colours for the ribbons or cords.
Another idea is to select colours that represent the relationship between the couple and their loved ones. For instance, if the couple has a strong bond with their parents, they might opt for their parents' wedding colours to symbolise the strength and longevity of their marriage. Alternatively, they could incorporate colours that represent the birthstones of their family members, creating a unique and personalised colour palette for the handfasting ceremony.
The couple might also want to involve their wedding party or family members in choosing the colours. This could be a fun and collaborative process, where each person selects a colour that holds personal significance to them, creating a colourful display that represents the love and support of the couple's community. Additionally, the couple could assign specific meanings to each colour, such as loyalty, creativity, compassion, or self-expression, further personalising the ceremony and making it more reflective of their relationship.
In conclusion, when planning a handfasting ceremony, choosing colours with personal significance adds a layer of depth and individuality to the ritual. By incorporating colours that honour loved ones or symbolise special relationships, the couple creates a heartfelt and memorable experience for themselves and their guests. These colours become more than just aesthetic choices; they become visual representations of the couple's values, emotions, and the unique journey they share with their loved ones.
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Frequently asked questions
You can choose any colours you like. You could coordinate with your wedding colour scheme or select colours with special significance.
No, there are no colours to avoid. However, it is recommended to choose colours that are meaningful to you and your partner or that represent your family.
Each colour has its own meaning. For example, red symbolises love and passion, yellow symbolises balance and joy, and green represents fertility and luck.
Yes, you can use multiple colours during the hand wrapping ceremony. Some couples choose to use a separate cord for each vow, while others prefer to braid a few cords together and wrap them as one.
You can find hand wrapping cords or ribbons in various colours on websites such as Etsy, Scotland Shop, and House of Tartan.
