Tag: symbolic gestures
Real wedding: First love
First love, everlasting love If you can survive as a couple through those late teenage years – those years of self-growth and discovery – and you come through the other end still wanting to be together, then the likelihood is…
Naming ceremony rituals and keepsakes
Naming ceremony rituals and keepsakes are really popular ways to make ceremonies even more personal and memorable for families. Here we explore some of the better known and most popular rituals or symbolic gestures included a Humanist Society Scotland welcoming…
Unity candle
A unity candle is a symbolic way of showing the joining of a couple in marriage. You will each light a candle representing you as two individuals – ‘twin flames’ – usually before you make your legal declarations. After you…
Quaich
A quaich is a Scottish two-handled drinking cup, often referred to as the cup of life. Drinking from the quaich is one of many wedding rituals often included in humanist wedding ceremonies. The history behind it Drinking from a quaich…
Wedding band warming
If you’re exchanging rings as an outward symbol of your love for one another, you can choose to have them ‘warmed’ first. The symbolism of a wedding band warming ceremony is that your wedding rings have been ‘warmed’ forever by…
Handfasting
Handfasting is an ancient celtic marriage ritual and is thought to be where the expression ‘tying the knot’ came from. This is one of the most popular symbolic gestures, or rituals, in humanist wedding ceremonies. It even featured in popular…
Sand ceremony
A sand ceremony is a unique way to symbolise two lives becoming one, or the blending of families in a wedding ceremony. It’s also a beautiful way of symbolising the strength of a family unit in a naming ceremony. The…
Oathing stone ritual
Humanist wedding ceremonies often include symbolic gestures, or rituals. The oathing stone is a great alternative to handfasting, since this ritual is also typically performed while exchanging vows. The history behind it This ancient ceremony is rooted deeply in the…
Civil partnership
There are no significant differences between the rights and obligations of a marriage and those of a civil partnership. Civil partnerships are formed by signing a civil partnership document, whereas marriages are formed by making legal declarations. Some people are…
Wedding ceremony rituals
Some people want a very simple ceremony, but others just aren’t sure about the possibilities or what sort of wedding rituals are out there. If that’s you then read on!
Naming ceremony symbolism
When Humanist Society Scotland celebrants meet with parents to plan a naming ceremony, they will ask if you would like to incorporate any naming ceremony symbolism or rituals. These symbolic gestures (or rituals) can add an extra dimension to any…