When someone says they're "tying the knot," they're echoing an ancient ceremony most people have never seen. Handfasting is where that phrase comes from: a literal act where a celebrant binds a couple's wrists with ribbon or cord. This Celtic ritual predates Christianity by thousands of years. Today, couples are bringing it back because it makes commitment tangible. I've performed handfasting ceremonies across Melbourne and Victoria. This article covers the history, symbolism