Red String Rituals
/08
by Jennifer
Cram - Brisbane Marriage Celebrant © 22/03/2024Categories: | Wedding Rituals |
Destiny and Love.
Regardless of culture or time, the idea that
two lovers were always destined to be together
is virtually universal. Whether expressed as
the concept of soulmates, soul friends (the
Irish Anam Cara), or
that each is the one true love of the
other, it is a thread that runs through love
story after love story. That falling in love
incorporated an element of recognition.
In Chinese culture, this belief is expressed as the Red Thread of Fate, Destiny, or Marriage, an invisible red thread connecting those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The belief is echoed in Japanese culture.
Incorporating the
Red Thread of Fate in your wedding
By incorporating the red thread belief into
your wedding ceremony, you can infuse your
special day with a deep sense of connection
and destiny. The Red Thread serves as a
beautiful reminder that your love is meant to
be, and that you are bound together in a way
that transcends time and space.
A powerful
visual element
While the concept, like the
concept of soulmate, is an abstract one, the
Red Thread belief offers an opportunity to add
a visual element to your ceremony, in the
colour that draws the eye, captures the
attention, and shows up beautiful in photos
and videos.
How you decide to express the concept, visually, however, presents infinite opportunities, constrained only by the extent to which you wish your personal Red String Ritual to reflect the original belief.
Chinese or
Japanese?
In the
original Chinese myth, the Red Thread it
is tied around both parties' ankles, while in
Japanese culture it is bound from a male's
thumb to a female's little finger.
In the 21st century, however, it is common across both these cultures to depict the thread being tied around the fingers, often the little finger.
Thread,
String, or Cord
The
thicker the thread, the better it will
photograph. But not all ritual variants are
practical using thicker cord. It has to be a
matter of personal judgement.
Some
Ideas
Regardless
of how you choose to incorporate the Red
Thread belief in your wedding - from
discreet nod to full-blown active ritual, a
narrative will add to the significance,
emphasise your confidence that fate had a
hand in bringing the two of you together.
And that, in finding each other, you have
both found the person you are destined to be
with, your soulmate. destined partner and
lover you have found your soulmate.
Here are some suggestions as to how this may be expressed visually:
At what point
in the ceremony should
the ritual be done?
It
is quite common to focus on perceived
challenges created by positioning a red
string ritual earlier in the ceremony.
However, as the belief is about fate
bringing you together, it seems odd to
visually express that belief after your
vows, or after the pronouncement, or
especially, after you have signed the
certificates.
I'm marrying you because you are my soulmate and we are destined to be together makes much more sense to me than expressing a belief in destiny once you are legally bound together!
And remember, rings can always be exchanged at any point in the ceremony as they are a symbol of your commitment and not a seal or a legal requirement.
Related
information
In Chinese culture, this belief is expressed as the Red Thread of Fate, Destiny, or Marriage, an invisible red thread connecting those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The belief is echoed in Japanese culture.
Incorporating the
Red Thread of Fate in your wedding
A powerful
visual element
How you decide to express the concept, visually, however, presents infinite opportunities, constrained only by the extent to which you wish your personal Red String Ritual to reflect the original belief.
Chinese or
Japanese?
In the 21st century, however, it is common across both these cultures to depict the thread being tied around the fingers, often the little finger.
Thread,
String, or Cord
Some
Ideas
Here are some suggestions as to how this may be expressed visually:
- A red thread can be discreetly tied round each of your wedding rings to symbolise your belief that you are meant to be
- As you prepare to say your vows, have someone pass a red cord to you so each of you holds one end and the cord joins you to hold so there is a visual connection in the photos (use quite a thick cord so it shows up well)
- Each tie one end of a red string to
the other's little finger
- Use red string to tie a bow on one another's ring finger instead of exchanging rings, or in addition to your rings as part of the ring exchanges
- Exchange red thread bracelets as a
symbol of your intertwined fate and
commitment to each other.
- Use a red cord in your handfasting
- If you prefer not to incorporate a ritual, have a red thread woven into your wedding attire or bouquets
- Red shoe laces can work well, too!
At what point
in the ceremony should
the ritual be done?
I'm marrying you because you are my soulmate and we are destined to be together makes much more sense to me than expressing a belief in destiny once you are legally bound together!
And remember, rings can always be exchanged at any point in the ceremony as they are a symbol of your commitment and not a seal or a legal requirement.
Related
information
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