Meaning and symbolism of the colour blue in handfasting cords
“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe.”
“Once in a blue moon someone like you comes along.”
Shades of blue: Infinity Nine Knot in blue, gold and velvet
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 talk about the different meanings the colour blue is used to express.
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 ways in which the colour blue is usually interpreted in handfastings:
This Celtic Knot with real shells is perfect for a wedding by the beach
Water and air
Blue is the colour of seas, skies, rivers and pools, reflecting nature’s beauty like a mirror. You might use it to suggest the power and tranquility of these elements, making a cord perfect for an outdoor wedding or one with a ‘beachy’ aesthetic.
Green and white accentuate the impact of blue in this Nine Knots design
Serenity
Think again of that blue ocean or blue sky - odds are you will conjure up an image of calm (though blue may well be stormy and tempestuous!). Blue is the colour of peace and tranquility, reflection, spirituality. In a handfasting cord it could symbolise the peace you find in one another.
This Magdalene Knot incorporates a central swab of fabric - perhaps from your wedding dress or matching your theme
Purity
Blue symbolises purity and innocence, an otherworldly and mysterious femininity. This comes from its association with the Virgin Mary - in fact, before Queen Victoria made fashion history by wearing a white wedding dress, brides often wore blue on their wedding day!
From the Bloom design range, this navy and gold cord can be customised to include thistle charms
Tradition
This calm and stability means that blue evokes tradition, authority and even royalty. Just as it is linked to femininity through its association with purity, it can evoke masculinity and authority. But there are no limits to how you interpret this - blue can be used in a handfasting cord to symbolise bride or groom, masculine or feminine, and a blend of both.
Gold and royal blue lend a regal touch to this Nine Knots design
Protection
Because of its peaceful and spiritual aspects, blue has a protective quality, like a good luck charm knotted around the happy couple. In the Middle East and Mediterranean, blue protects against the evil eye, and across the world it symbolises paradise and divinity.
Also from the Bloom range, this Nine Knots design in teal and white is embellished with delicate flowers
“Something blue”
All of these strands come together in the rhyme “Something borrowed, something blue.” Blue weaves nostalgia, hope, spirituality, and protection into a charm that promises good luck on your wedding day and beyond.
Hearts Entwined in ivory, light blue and gold. This design uses colour to symbolise two hearts embracing one another
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