The Celtic Tradition of The Wedding Bell

The bell has been used since at least medieval times in marking the joining of couples in holy matrimony. They were believed to dispelling negative influences within a space. The sound a bell makes can cut across the flow of energy in a space and create a harmonizing effect. 

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The Celtic Tradition of Throwing Rice At A Wedding

The Celtic wedding tradition of throwing rice on the newlyweds is extremely old and predates Christianity. The Celts were not only warriors, but also agriculturalists. Celts were farming various forms of wheat, barleycorn, and even oats, rye and millet which seem to have been introduced during the Iron Age. All of these may have been used as blessing foods for such ceremonial...

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The Tradition Of Handfasting

These days, contemporary Celts, neo-pagans and others interested in alternative marriage ceremonies have adopted the tradition of handfasting, which involves binding the hands of the couple with ribbon or cord in a public to symbolize marriage vows. 

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The Prayer of Protection: The Caim

The Caim is a prayer done in a sacred circle at the altar, made with the intention of protecting the bride and groom at the time of marriage. Caims have a specific rhyme and meter that tends to act almost mystically, focusing one’s intent, making sacred space that much more sacred. 

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Jumping The Broom

The ritual itself is very simple. Yet it’s significance and meaning run very deep. After the priest marries the couple, the bride and groom jump over a broom. It would be more accurate to say “jumping the besom,” the besom being a type of broom that is made with twigs tied together against a strong pole. 

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Celtic Wedding Music And Dance

Whether the location is in a church or some more natural setting, nothing strikes the right note in a Celtic wedding like having a piper pipe before the bride as she walks to the place where she will be wed. The tradition dates back hundreds of year. Clan chiefs used to and some still do have their own designated pipers to lead...

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The Wedding Coin

In this old tradition, which originally seems to have its influences from both Romanization and possibly Brehon Law, the Groom presents his wife with a solid silver or gold coin as a token of their coming together. The gift is to show his willingness to provide for her, protect her and care for her. 

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