tie the knot with an artisan celtic handfasting cord
A unique way to celebrate your one-of-a-kind love: Ceotha's handfasting cords weave together ancient Celtic ritual, dazzling intricate craftsmanship, and a passion for making your special day completely unforgettable.
Welcome
On this site you can find out all about handfasting and Ceotha’s cords, including
Resources on how to tie the knot and information about handfasting tradition (Jump to handfasting resources)
How to choose and customise your own bespoke Ceotha cord, as well as information the materials I use and the meaning of different knots and colours (Jump to Ceotha Design)
And you can browse my shop.
[About Handfasting]
Handfasting is the ancient Celtic practice of binding a couple's hands in a ceremony that expresses their commitment to each other. It was originally believed to forge a bond that would last through this life and the next! Whatever your philosophy - whether you choose a humanist ceremony, a church wedding, or something else altogether for your special day - handfasting is a powerful symbol of enduring commitment. Read more about the history of handfasting here, and discover how it can become part of your celebration.
[About Ceotha]
Based just outside the village of Roslin, Scotland - but shipping worldwide - I specialise in designing and crafting artisanal handfasting cords which reflect the couple's relationship and their unique celebration of love. The signature of my designs are Celtic knots which draw together the symbolism of handfasting, the care I take to make each cord perfect, and - most importantly - your love for one another.
About the Handfasting Tradition
What are handfasting cords?
The Triple Love Knot handfasting cord, an original Ceotha Design (find yours here)
A Handfasting cord (also known as a Handfasting rope, handbinding cord, or a handfasting ribbon) is a long piece of rope, ribbon, or fabric that is tied or wrapped around the hands of a couple during a wedding ceremony to symbolise the partners’ commitment to each other. Handfasting cords and ceremony are not attached to any religion in particular and there really is no right or wrong way of using them. Recently, more and more couples are adding handfasting ceremonies to their wedding, engagement, or anniversary celebration due the degree of flexibility and personal touch they bring to a ceremony, as well as a tangible memento of the moment they ‘tied the knot’.
Origins of the handfasting tradition
The origins of this beautiful tradition are shrouded in mystery. Most commonly, it is attributed to the Celts. However, due to the lack of written records there is very little known about Celtic traditions, so we really can’t know for sure. What we do know, is that phrases that connect love and commitment with the tying of cord or ribbon (such as ‘tying the knot’) can be found in almost all European languages. We also know that the tradition was well established and alive during the middle ages (although with regional variations) in Ireland and Scotland.
Are handfasting cords Pagan?
Handfasting cords are not associated with any one particular religion. Although they are a popular feature in Pagan weddings, they have historically equally featured in Christian ceremonies. Recently, they have also become increasingly popular in secular weddings as an interactive element that can add a beautifully personal and tangible touch to a ceremony
A happy couple featuring our Handfasting Cord - Infinity Tie Treasure Knot
Are handfasting cords only for Weddings?
Handfasting ceremonies are most commonly part of a wedding but they can also happen at an engagement or vow renewal. In some parts of Scottish tradition, a handfasting marks the beginning of a one year and one day long ‘marriage probation’. Similarly they can be conducted by an officiant in front all your wedding guests, it could be conducted by a friend or relative, or it can be a private occasion between two partners.
How should the cords be tied?
Again, there is no right or wrong way. Different officiants may have different approaches to the way they tie the rope or the words that are used. The couple usually either holds both hands crossed in front of each other or holds one opposite hand each (like shaking hands) – although I have also seen ceremonies where the partners simply stand next to each other and hold each other’s closest hand (my own wedding included). How you hold your arms is entirely up to you. In terms of tying the actual knot, the cords I design fall into two different categories:
Decorative Center Knots
Decorative Centre Knots feature a decorative knot in the middle of the cord which is placed on top of the couple’s hands. The sides are then wrapped around the wrists of the partners and tied in a simple knot underneath. This is a straightforward, easy technique that highlights the symbolism of the centre knot and can be beautifully displayed before and after the ceremony
Infinity Knots
Infinity handfasting cords are loose in the middle, with decorative knots and braids along the sides. This allows for the cord to be tied in such a way that, once the hands are slipped out, an infinity knot remains in the cord. This is a slightly trickier way of doing it – and I’d definitely recommend practising beforehand – but you get to keep the literal knot you tied at your wedding which makes for the most wonderful keepsake. A video showing how to tie the infinity here on my shop page.
How long should a handfasting cord be?
The length of your handfasting cord depends entirely on which way it is going to be tied. When you want to figure out how long your handfasting cord should be, think about whether you are going to be tying two hands or four hands, whether, or how many times you want to wrap it around, and how much of the cord you want to be cascading down off your hands.
Handfasting cord symbolism
Some couples choose the colour of their handfasting cords (or different strands of the cord) in accordance based on the meaning attributed to particular colours. However, it is equally legitimate to simply choose a colour scheme you just happen to like, or that works well with the theme of your celebrations (In fact, I often do custom designs based on a couple’s ‘mood board’ they’ve put together for planning their wedding.
Some people also attribute meaning to the amount of strings used in the cord. Based on Celtic folklore, multiples of three (3, 6, 9, or 12) are often chosen (although in some schools of thought, 7 is preferred.
The cords I design also make use of the symbolism of Celtic knots (you can read more about that here). Finally, many couples also opt to include charms or other decorative items in their custom design to let their cord tell the story of their relationship.
Ceotha HAndfasting Cord Designs
All my designs have been conceived of by myself from scratch with much time dedicated to research. I pride myself in making cords that are both beautiful and have the potential to carry meaning. I began incorporating Celtic knots into my Design not out of a desire to be authentic (after all, we have no records of what handfasting cords would have looked like in Celtic times) but because their aesthetic symbolism matched both the profoundety and vagueness as well as the endurance and flexibility of the handfasting tradition. There is never any singularity in the meaning of Celtic knots. Any knot can symbolise a variety of things. What that means, I believe is, that although this is an Ancient tradition, we can also make it our very own. What better visual language to express the complexity and beauty of love? Here are a few examples of the knots I use:
Love Knot
This knot predominantly symbolises love, but it also is known as the eternal knot. One might say it expresses eternal love. This knot features in almost all my designs, including my Original Love Knot design (the first design I started making).
Infinity Knot
There is a way to tie the cord around the couple’s hand during the handfasting ceremony that results in this knot being tied into the centre of the handfasting cord when the hands are slipped out. Some of my cords are designed with a loose section in the middle to allow for this effect…
Infinity knot (cont.)
others feature it as a decorative knot (see the distinction between the different types of tying the cord).
Prosperity Knot
This beautiful weave features in some of my latest designs
Josephine knot
This knot is often the starting knot for other knots in Celtic designs, but it is also known as a love knot. I often use it either to frame other knots (as in this example)…
(Cont.)
… or to connect two knots
The number Three
In Celtic cosmology, everything important comes in threes…
Number three (cont)
… or, even more potently nines
Get in touch
If you would like to explore options for your own ceremony, just send me a message - no matter how loose or concrete your ideas, no matter how far away your celebration still is and no matter your budget. I'd be excited to play a small part in helping you make your dream wedding or other celebration of your love a reality!