stems from the old pagan tradition of handfasting were by a length of cord or in the case of the celts a piece of tartan of the clan you are marring into is fastened around the left hands of the couple and tied into a knot the union lasts a year then the couple have another cerimony were they announce wether they wish the knot to be refastened or if they wish it untied and both parties go on their separate ways.