Tying the Knot – The phrase “tying the knot” is synonymous with getting married. Although the words can represent the symbolic joining of two lives together, in some cultures, getting married actually requires tying a knot. The custom traces its origins to an ancient Babylonian tradition in which threads from the clothes of both the bride and groom were tied in a knot to represent the couple’s union. Other cultures have embraced this tradition, and couples tie ceremonial knots during their wedding ceremonies.
Special thanks to Rosemary who pointed out the knot pictured above is called a Righteous Knot.
Tying the Knot & 3 Corded Rope
Three Corded Rope
Even when I hear about tying the knot, I also think about Ephesians 4:12 about a three corded rope. Actually that is the theme for Heather (SimplySpokn) and my wedding. One is tying a knot and the other is weaving three cords (or ropes) together. However, both give an idea of togetherness. With the the corded rope, you have three ropes of course. One rope is the groom, one is the bride and the other is Christ. In order for a marriage to work, it must have Christ as the center.
That means there are no more or no less in the marriage. It takes three. The Groom, Bride and Jesus. Jesus must be the center. He must be before everything in the marriage.
Read more about the Three Corded Rope is not easily broken
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
Purposes of Knots
We type knots in ropes for many reasons. One reason is to join to ropes together (square knot & sheets bend). In Boy Scouts, we had to learn 7 basic knots and the purposes for each one of them. There are knots for rescue, the bowline knot. As you can tell there are purposes for knots in rope. Just the same applies to getting married. God instructed us to marry.
Tying the Knot
Part of the custom of tying the knot was to tie the hands together of the married couple. They were not allowed to remove the knot until they consummated the marriage. Old time beds use to be tied together to make what is known as our today spring mattress. The practice of knots and wedding dates back to the 13th Century. The art of tying the knot just means bound in marriage. Usually when something is bound a rope type of apparatus is used.
Sources:
- MetroCreative SB177183
- Urban Dictionary
- Phrases.org
About the Author
That is a righteous knot.
That’s cool I didn’t know what type of knot it was. Thanks for sharing.