HAND BINDING CEREMONY Tying the knot is a term we have inherited to describe the marriage of a man to a woman, its ancient roots can be traced back to the tradition of “handfasting” and today is often referred to as “handbinding”. Around the 15th century the “clans of scotland” followed closely by english citizens used the tradition of handfasting”, to symbolize the joining of two as one. The modern hand binding ceremony allows couples to invite members of their bridal party to use a cord or family tartan to wrap their hands to symbolize their binding union of love, faith, friendship and trust.