Meaning and symbolism of bronze and warm tones in handfasting cords
“And may my bronze name
Touch always her thousand fingers”
This Celtic Nine Knot cord combines ivory with the soft glow of bronze to stunning effect
Colours are a great way to imbue your handfasting cord with meaning and contribute to telling the story of your love through your handfasting cord. This post will explore warm neutral toned colours, including bronze, rust and taupe, their meanings and how they might be incorporated into your wedding ceremony.
GENERAL NOTES ON COLOURS - A ‘DISCLAIMER’
First, I’d like to start with some general thoughts on the use of colours in handfasting cords. Some people claim that particular colours are traditional or authentic for handfasting cords. However, this can be misleading. Handfasting as a tradition is very old – so old in fact that we don’t know exactly when it originated or where it came from. What we DO know is that there are traces of it all over the world. What this means is that there is no linear handfasting tradition with strict ‘dos’ and ‘donts’ to adhere to and this goes for colour just as anything else. Different colours have had different meanings in different cultures and at different times, so there is no right or wrong set of colours to choose from.
The cords I make are all inspired by the aesthetics and meaning of Celtic knots. One of the things I love most about Celtic culture is that the way meaning is created is never black and white but fluid and contextual. And this is exactly what I believe the most important rule is when it comes to choosing the colour of your handfasting cord: What matters most is what your chosen colour means to YOU and the story of your relationship. Handfasting cords allow us to create a ritual of love that is special and unique to our relationship. If you are not sure about whether to include a certain colour or not, just listen to your heart. It’s your ceremony and your handfasting cord, after all. With that in mind, here are some associations that warm tones have:
My Tie-Your-Own Magdalene Love Knot cord in blush and rose gold is customisable - please get in touch for a consultation
Earthy
Warm natural colours are ironically often associated with the coldest times of year - whether that's the vivid turning leaves of autumn or the deep tones of berries, poinsettias and bright candle flames associated with Christmas and New Year. But they can work perfectly year-round: dried flowers, terracotta and clay shades like taupe, bronzes and rose golds suggest richness but with a grounded, homey feel. For a natural, rustic, cottagecore vibe, you could swap out the typical bridal greys and silvers for these cosy colours.
This Celtic Nine Knot in brown and Ivory is part of my collection of premium cords. The colours are timeless and the engraved disk makes this cord a beautiful memento of your ceremony
Nostalgic
Darkly vibrant colours have a sepia-tinted quality suggestive of old photographs and film, while rust and bronze shades suggest a love that stands the test of time. Combining taupes and browns with off-white, cream and eggshell shades could give your wedding a vintage feel whilst remaining resolutely modern. This colour scheme works particularly well for an outdoor ceremony, on a beach or in a forest, with a relaxed, boho vibe. Think pampas grass, soft diffused lighting, and a delicate crocheted shawl in place of a veil!
The saffron-toned gold and champagne cord used in this Celtic Nine Knot design is warm, luxe and can be combined with an accent fabric of your choosing
Spiritual
At the more golden end of the cosy spectrum, saffron and bronze are associated with spirituality and would complement a ceremony that has a spiritual dimension (regardless of whether religious or humanist). Even apart from this, they have connotations of strength and faithfulness that could speak to the enduring nature of the bond between you and your partner on your special day.
This Metallic Shades Celtic Nine Knot cord is also part of my premium collection. The metallic cord is sustainably produced in limited amounts, making this design truly one-of-a-kind and precious
I hope you have found this post helpful. If you would like to work with me on designing your own custom handfasting cord, please don’t hesitate to get in touch :)
Love,
Ceo