Handfasting Cords and Colors Symbology
The term "tying the knot", which is still used widely today, originates with the practice of handfasting. During the ceremony, the couple's hands are tied together with one or several colored cords or ribbons, symbolizing the desire of the couple to be united. The cord is often kept by the couple in a box or ornate bag as a reminder of their vows. Handfastings, done in the past as a commitment for a year and a day, can be combined with ring vows and a license to make it a legally binding contract.
In handfasting cords, all of the colors have meaning. The handfasting cords themselves can either be several colors twisted into one cord and then used for a single cord ceremony or each color can be draped individually as in the six cord handfasting.
Here are some of the meanings attached to the colors:
Red - will, love, strength, fertility, courage, health, vigor, passion
Orange - encouragement, adaptability, stimulation, attraction, plenty, kindness.
Yellow - attraction, charm, confidence, balance, harmony
Green - fertility, luck, prosperity, nurturing, beauty, health, love
Dark Blue -for a safe journey, longevity & strength
Light Blue - tranquility, understanding, patience, health
Purple - healing, health, strength, power, progress
Black - strength, empowerment, wisdom/vision, success, pure love
White - spiritual purity, truth, peace, serenity and devotion
Gray - balance, neutrality, used in erasing, canceling, neutralizing, and return to the universe without repercussion
Pink - love, unity, honor, truth, romance, happiness
Brown - for healing, skills & talent, nurturing, home & hearth and the earth.
Silver - for creativity, inspiration & vision, and protection.
Gold - for unity, longevity, prosperity and strength.
