Handfasting Cords and Their Meaning: A Guide to Tying the Knot

Hi, it’s Debbie here. If you’re wondering what handfasting cords mean, what the different colours represent or how to choose the right ones for your ceremony, you’re in the right place.

Handfasting cords are ribbons, cords or pieces of fabric that are wrapped around a couple’s joined hands during a handfasting ceremony. They symbolise two people joining their lives and the promises they are making to one another.

There’s no single “correct” handfasting cord. You can choose the colours, materials, number of cords and the words spoken around them to reflect your relationship and your story. And that’s the bit I love. Let’s look at how you can make your handfasting cords personal to you.

What do handfasting cords represent?

At the heart of a handfasting ceremony is connection. The cords can represent two people choosing to walk through life together, the promises they are making and the life they are creating side by side. Your cords might represent:

• love

• commitment

• trust

• friendship

• partnership

• family

• shared values

• adventure

• the journey ahead

You might choose one cord for love and another for trust or friendship. Or perhaps each cord represents a particular promise you want to make.

There is something rather beautiful and magical about taking an invisible promise and giving it a physical form. You can see it, touch it and, afterwards, keep it as a reminder of the words you spoke. You may even have heard that handfasting is where the phrase “tying the knot” comes from. Nobody can say for certain, but it’s a lovely thought.

What do the different colours of handfasting cords mean?

This is one of the questions I’m asked most often. You’ll find lots of interpretations of colour symbolism, but there isn’t one universal rule that says a particular colour must mean a particular thing. Here are some meanings you might like to consider:

Red: love, passion, courage and strength

Pink: tenderness, affection, friendship and compassion

Orange: creativity, enthusiasm, joy and adventure

Yellow: happiness, warmth, optimism and friendship

Green: nature, growth, renewal and abundance

Blue: peace, trust, calm, communication and emotional depth

Purple: spirituality, wisdom, imagination and transformation

White: clarity, purity and new beginnings

Gold: celebration, warmth, prosperity and something precious

Brown: grounding, stability, home and connection with the earth

But don’t feel you have to choose your colours because a list on the internet tells you what they mean. Perhaps blue reminds you of the sea where you got engaged. Maybe green takes you back to the woodland where you first met. Or perhaps yellow is simply your happy colour.

How many handfasting cords do you need?

You can have one cord or several. One beautiful cord can create a wonderfully simple and powerful moment. Several cords allow different promises, people or parts of your relationship to be represented.

For example, you might have three cords representing love, trust and adventure, with a different promise spoken as each cord is tied. You can also involve family or friends by giving each person a cord to bring forward while a blessing is spoken.

Think about what you want your cords to say, rather than choosing a number because you think you should.

What can handfasting cords be made from?

This is another lovely opportunity to bring your personality into the ceremony. Your cords could be made from:

• ribbon

• cotton or linen

• wool

• silk

• lace

• braided cord

• natural fibres

They can also carry a much deeper personal connection. Perhaps a piece of fabric has come from a parent or grandparent. You could use material from a wedding dress, an old piece of clothing or something connected to a special memory. Or perhaps you simply fall in love with a beautiful piece of ribbon.

What happens when your hands are joined?

During the ceremony, you’ll usually join hands while the cords are placed around them. Your celebrant then ties or knots each cord while words, promises, blessings or intentions are spoken. For example:

“With this cord, I promise to…”

“With this cord, I promise that we will…”

The tying of each cord becomes part of the story, rather than something that simply happens in the background. If you’d like help with the words, you might enjoy my guide to Writing Your Handfasting Vows.

Can family, friends or pets be involved?

Absolutely. One of the things I love about handfasting is that it can involve the people who matter to you. A family member or close friend could bring forward a cord, offer a blessing or say a few words before it is tied.

And yes, your dog can be involved too, although I probably wouldn’t rely on them to do the actual tying! Including loved ones is a beautiful way of acknowledging the people who have supported you and will continue to be part of your life together.

What happens to the cords afterwards?

That’s entirely up to you. Many couples keep their tied cords as a keepsake. You could display them at home, keep them in a special box or bring them out on anniversaries as a reminder of the promises you made. Some people choose to untie them after the ceremony. There isn’t a right or wrong answer. What matters is that the choice has meaning for you.

Can handfasting cords be used for a solo ceremony?

Yes, and this is something I think deserves much more attention. A handfasting doesn’t have to be about two people. It can also mark a significant transition in your own life. Perhaps you’re leaving a relationship, changing career, moving home, marking a significant birthday or simply deciding that you’re ready to live differently. Your cords could represent:

what I am leaving behind

what I am carrying with me

what I am choosing now

Or they could represent qualities you want to strengthen within yourself, such as courage, freedom, self-trust, authenticity or love. Sometimes we know something has changed, but we haven’t stopped to acknowledge it. A ritual gives that change a moment. You can read more about solo ceremonies in What Is a Handfasting? The Ancient Ceremony Explained.

Do handfasting cords have to follow a tradition?

Not necessarily. You might want to draw on Celtic or Pagan symbolism, bring in the elements, or create something entirely personal. You can honour tradition without feeling restricted by it.

For me, the most meaningful ceremonies are the ones where every symbol has a reason for being there.

Choosing handfasting cords that tell your story

Whether you’re celebrating a wedding, a commitment, a vow renewal or a significant transition in your own life, your ceremony can be created around your story, your values and what matters most to you. Together, we can explore the words, rituals, symbols and little details that will make it personal, meaningful and uniquely yours.

I’ll leave you with this: don’t worry about choosing the “right” colours. The most meaningful cords are the ones that mean something to you.

I create personalised handfasting and celebrant-led ceremonies across Warwickshire, Coventry, Solihull, the wider West Midlands and beyond. If you’d like to create your own ceremony, take a look at my Handfasting Ceremonies page or Get in touch with Debbie and tell me your story.

Debbie x–Midlife Mystic Mentor | Inner Witch

You might also like

What Is a Handfasting? The Ancient Ceremony Explained: a simple introduction to handfasting and what happens during the ceremony.

Writing Your Handfasting Vows: ideas and inspiration for vows that sound like you.

Is a Handfasting Legally Binding in the UK?: how to have a handfasting and still be legally married.