Handfasting

Handfasting is a ritual in which the hands of two people are bound together with cords or ribbons to symbolize their union. Historically, the term described a betrothal or trial marriage common in medieval Europe; in some regions the couple were bound for a year and a day, after which they could choose whether to formalize a permanent marriage. The word comes from Old English hand and fasten.

Throughout medieval and early modern Britain and Ireland, handfasting functioned as a binding agreement with varying legal implications. In Scotland, unions described as handfastings were often concluded after a year and a day, with the expectation that participants might later complete a church or civil marriage. Procedures and recognition varied by jurisdiction and era, and dissolving a handfasting could require formal processes.

In contemporary usage, handfasting is common in neopagan and Wiccan communities as a wedding-style ceremony. Ceremonies typically involve casting a sacred circle, invoking deities or elements, speaking vows, and binding the couple's hands with cords chosen for symbolic color schemes. Modern handfastings may incorporate ring exchange, sharing of wine or candles, and other elements drawn from different traditions.

Legal status varies by country and region. In many places, a handfasting ceremony is not legally binding unless the participants also obtain a civil marriage license. Some jurisdictions recognize handfastings as marriages when conducted within a legal framework; in others, it remains a spiritual or cultural rite rather than a legally binding contract. The practice thus often functions as a symbolic or religious rite alongside, or prior to, civil marriage.

Variations include the number and arrangement of cords, with three-stranded cords being common, and colors chosen to represent elements or personal associations. The symbolism and ritual details differ among traditions and communities.