Hand in marriage

Posted by Woodchuck on April 28, 2003

In Reply to: Hand in marriage posted by S. Ryan on April 28, 2003

: Apology for double posting another question on the same subject, but a friend of mine is getting married next week and has been asking the origins of certain marriage rituals and sayings. To give one's hand in marriage is a commonly used phrase, but can anyone help with the origin?

I believe it's in reference to the old Celtic handfasting ritual.

• Handfasting and trial marriage Word Camel 04/29/03
  • And Lewis 05/02/03