The fascinating story behind the saying “Tie the knot”
Can you hear wedding bells ringing? Well, of course, it’s December and the wedding season is officially here. Marriage rituals come with so many different traditions and customs, along with a whole bunch of jargons and sayings which may be familiar to many. But, do you really know the meaning and origin behind them? One such popular wedding phrase is “tie the knot,” that has a fascinating origin behind it. Read on to know more.
What does “tie the knot”
This phrase essentially translates to “get married.” Another way to interpret it is “to perform a marriage ceremony.” Regardless of the nuances in interpretation, the bottom line here is that it refers to the act getting married. This is one of the most popular sayings in reference to marriage. However, there are a good number of others with the same or similar connotations- some formal, while others not so much. Some of them include getting hitched, taking the plunge, walking down the aisle, etc.
The origin of the saying “tie the knot”
Knots are interpreted to symbolise unity across many cultures all over the world. Some believe that this phrase emerges as a nod to this symbolisation of unity. However, many marriage ceremonies include an actual, literal tying of a physical knot which is commonly referred to as handfasting. This emerged in Scotland, where the Celtic tribes practised the tradition of tying together couples with a piece of cloth around their hands while getting married, specifically while they exchange vows. This tradition went through a slight change during the medieval period, where couples were handfasted during their engagement with an aim to bond them further prior to the wedding. Although it began in Scotland, historians believe that this practice spread to many other parts of Europe as well.
Myths about this saying
There are many myths pertaining to this saying and to the act of handfasting. The one that stands out was believed to be popular during the 18th century, where couples observed handfasting for an entire year plus one day as a test of their bond. If the literal bond successfully lasted for that period of time, only then would they be allowed to proceed with the marriage. There is no evidence supporting this, however, it has been passed down through folklore.