Blogger: Saima Sammar
Unveiling the origins of the timeless tradition of handfasting, a ritual deeply entwined with love and commitment, takes us on a journey through history. Originating over 9000 years ago in ancient Ireland, handfasting was embraced by Celtic cultures and later adopted by the Anglo-Saxons during the Early Middle Ages.
This customary practice, often interpreted in various ways, could symbolize an informal wedding without an officiant or signify a betrothal, highlighting a formal commitment to wed that could only be dissolved through divorce. The term itself stems from the act of pledging through the shaking or joining of hands.
The Anglo-Saxons, residing predominantly in what is now England, incorporated handfasting as a type of betrothal or unofficial wedding. Tudor England and the reign of Elizabeth I saw its prevalence, evolving into a temporary form of marriage in 17th-century Scotland. Handfasting also experienced a revival in Neo-paganism, emphasizing its enduring significance.
The formal meaning of “to hand fast,” indicating a formal promise or contractual agreement, is documented in Late Old English. The term “hand fasting,” referring to a ceremony of engagement or betrothal, is later recorded in Early Modern English. However, legal restrictions in later centuries led to the enforcement of formal marriages conducted by priests with witnesses, overshadowing the initial association of handfasting with engagement.
The widely used expression “tying the knot” shares an idiomatic connection with handfasting, both symbolizing marriage and commitment. The idiom, signifying the act of entering a marital union, echoes the symbolic joining of hands during handfasting. Despite legal challenges, handfasting persists in various cultures as a ritual during weddings or engagements, emphasizing the enduring link between this ancient tradition and the commonly used phrase ‘tying the knot.'”