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Tying the Knot
Tying the Knot
Universally viewed as a means for conveying love, loyalty, friendship and unity, the old cliche' "tying the knot" has been around for centuries. From the Mayans of South America to the Hindu Vedic community of the Middle East to the Celtic culture of Scotland, tying of the hands is one of the oldest matrimonial traditions. The modern expressions, "tying the knot," "bonds of matrimony" and "hand in marriage" all hail from these ancient traditions of twisting the bride's and groom's clothing together or wrapping their wrists with braided cords, grasses or vines.
Despite its primeval origins, the knot tying ceremony continues to be a central part of weddings since the versatility of the ritual is easily adaptable to ceremonies of any faith.Although there are countless variations on the practice, the symbolic act typically involves fastening a couple's hands together with cording, ribbon, twine or a silk sash while prayers are recited and vows are exchanged. Couples can opt to use a single string or braid three strings together to represent the intertwining of the two individual lives into one.
Traditionally, the marriage knot is secured at the end of the ceremony to symbolize the couple's final pledge to blend their lives together.