Handfasting cord colours: Meaning & Symbolism

The Handfasting cord colours you chose for your handfasting ceremony can hold particular meaning or symbolism for you and your partner, and since there’s no rules on which colours to choose, or how many you can have, the possibilities are endless.

But if you want a guide to the meaning and symbolism of handfasting cord colours read on, we’ll even look at how you can choose your handfasting cords or even make them.

Understanding colour psychology and colour meanings

Colour psychology affects people universally and can evoke powerful feelings and associations. You can use universal colour meanings to add another layer of symbolism to your wedding ceremony and it’s easy to incorporate these colours in the ribbons, cords or ties you choose for your handfasting ceremony.

The colour of your handfasting cords doesn’t have to match your wedding colour theme; ideally, you’d select colours whose meanings resonate with both you and your partner.

Red handfasting cord colour meanings

Colour psychology is universal, which is why Red, the colour of the heart is associated with love, passion and desire the world around. On Valentine’s Day, you’ll see red roses and red hearts to symbolise romantic love, so it’s a fabulous colour to weave into your handfasting cords or ribbons.

Red is also considered an auspicious colour in Chinese tradition.

Red shades include: True red, geranium, cherry red, strawberry, watermelon, raspberry, pillar box red

Pink handfasting cord colour meanings

Pink, as a tint of Red has associated meanings of love and romance, with softer shades linked to femininity and bolder shades feeling more playful. In small doses, it can feel calming, but be careful; for men, too much pink can feel emasculating.

Pink shades include: Rose pink, blush, bubblegum, dusty pink, magenta, rose gold

Read more: Modern Handfasting Ceremonies Explained

Orange handfasting cord colour meanings

If you want to add a sense of energy, warmth or an autumnal feel to your celebration, choose orange. It’s a joyful, uplifting colour that encourages social interaction, and with its association with harvest and autumn, it also symbolises abundance.

Orange Shades: bright orange, mandarin, peach, pumpkin, apricot, salmon, burnt orange

Gold handfasting cord colour meanings

Gold, with its associations to wealth and royalty, signifies prosperity, abundance and success. Gold carries the warmth of its yellow tones, but be careful to not overuse it or it can feel gaudy.

Gold tones: matt gold, polished gold, antique gold, rose gold

Bronze handfasting cord colours symbolism

Once a highly prized metal, used by armies and in sculpture, bronze is known for its strength and permanence. As a metallic it evokes a sense of luxury. Pair it with navy for a grown-up colour palette.

Bronze tones: bronze, antique bronze,

Read more: The Art of Handfasting

Brown handfasting cord colour meanings

Brown may not be exciting, but it is reliable, stable and durable, which are enduring qualities required for a long-happy marriage! Pair with autumnal shades of orange, gold and red to add vibrancy and a sense of joyful abundance.

Brown tones: toffee, mahogany, caramel, umber, espresso

Yellow handfasting cord colour meanings

A bright and youthful colour, yellow conjures feelings of joy, happiness and friendship. It’s also a colour that’s associated with springtime and new beginnings

Yellow tones: buttercup, sunshine yellow, saffron, mustard, daffodil, lemon

Green handfasting cord colour meanings

Another colour that’s associated with springtime and new beginnings; Green also brings feelings of calmness and harmony, a perfect component for any marriage and for those hoping to be blessed with children it also symbolises fertility.

Green tones: forest green, lime, kerry green, mint, moss, jade, pistachio

Turquoise handfasting cord colour meanings

A perfect mix of green and blue, turquoise gives rise to feelings of calm and healing and it also symbolises truthfulness. Turquoise is uplifting and rejuvenating. It pairs well with gold.

Turquoise shades: Tiffany Blue, turquoise, seafoam, duck egg

Teal handfasting cord colour meanings

Teal, the grown-up version of turquoise adds a touch of sophistication, it brings a sense of renewal whilst also balancing mental clarity. It has a warmth and richness to it that pairs well with gold and bronze as well as deeper reds and pinks

Teal shades: dark seafoam, peacock, teal

Read more: The Art of Handfasting

Light Blue handfasting cord colour meanings

Recognised as the world’s favourite colour, blue is widely appreciated for its versatility and the positive emotions it evokes.

Sky and ocean blue hues symbolize understanding, openness, and tranquillity. Blue also tends to have a universal appeal across different cultures and demographics, further solidifying its position as a globally favoured colour.

Light Blue shades: baby blue, cornflower, sky blue,

Navy Blue handfasting cord colour meanings

Navy blue symbolises Loyalty, dignity and reflection. It conveys stability and trustworthiness. It pairs well as a neutral with almost all of the other colours, it looks great with metalics, but also with brighter colours like yellow, turquoise, pinks and even orange.

Dark Blue shades: Navy blue, french blue, airforce blue, oxford

Read more: Modern Handfasting Ceremonies Explained

Purple handfasting cord colour meanings

Historically, royal purple was the rarest of dyes due to the intensive effort required to create it, making it synonymous with wealth, luxury, royalty and even magic. Purple is revered for its opulence and connections to the spiritual realm. Consider including it in opulent velvet, satin or silk fabrics for added effect.

Purple shades: Royal Purple, aubergine, mauve

Lilac handfasting cord colour meanings

Lilac, the softer, more youthful cousin of purple, is associated with young love and enchantment, so it’s perfect for younger couples or to represent younger family members.

Purple shades: lilac, lavender,

Silver handfasting cord colour meanings

Silver is synonymous with elegance and grace. Like all metallics, it can elevate feelings of abundance. Unlike gold which can feel gaudy if overused, silver can feel haughty and cold, so use it sparingly and pair it with softer colours like lilac, purple or yellow.

Silver shades: Matt silver, platinum, gunmetal grey

Black handfasting cord colour meanings

Dramatic, sophisticated, and empowered, black brings a sense of luxury. When paired with purple or silver, it can feel mysterious. Avoid black if you want to evoke feelings of joy and fun—it’s far too serious!

Black shades: Charcoal, midnight, obsidian

Read more: The Art of Handfasting

How to choose Handfasting cord colours that have meaning to you

Whilst colour psychology is a great way to choose ribbons and colours for your handfasting ceremony, you don’t have to rely on other people’s meanings and symbolism to choose your colours, perhaps you have a colour that symbolises something to you as a couple

• University or college colours for childhood sweethearts
• Your favourite colours
• Sports team colours
• National flag colours
• Religious or culturally symbolic colours
• Colours to match your wedding theme

What type of handfasting cords/ribbons should I use

Whilst you can buy custom made handfasting ribbons, you really can use any type of ribbon, cord, fabric strip or woven fabric for your handfasting ceremony. The only requirement is that it’s long enough to wrap around both of your hands.

Of course, if you want a more elaborate braided cord/ribbon or knot, you might need your fabric to be longer.

Velvet, satin and silk ribbons are wonderfully tactile and feel great on your skin but we’ve seen some beautifully hand-crocheted and embroidered ties that add a personalised touch to the ceremony.

It’s also possible to repurpose fabric from a veil, dress or even an old table cloth. Anything that holds meaning to you and your partner.

Finding a Handfasting Celebrant

If you’re sold on the idea of having a handfasting ceremony for your wedding or vow renewal, don’t forget to find a celebrant who can bring your ceremony to life!

If you want to incorporate a modern handfasting ritual into your ceremony, search today and find your perfect Celebrant for your Handfasting ceremony by browsing our Celebrant Directory.