Love Knot Jewellery & the Meaning Behind it

Love Knot jewellery isn’t as popular as heart or rose accessories when it comes to symbols of love, but that doesn’t make it any less romantic. Knots have a long history of symbolism in human history, and can be traced back to ancient times. These knots come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but still represent similar ideas. If you’re looking for an alternative to most Valentine’s Day-esque jewellery, then keep reading, because love knots may be just what you’re looking for.

What’s in a Name?

The Love Knot goes by several other names, including Lover’s Knot and True Lover’s Knot. Keep that in mind while shopping, since it typically refers to the same concept (unless you’re referring to the moth of the same name).

The Origin of the Love Knot

The exact origin is hard to pin down since so many cultures have incorporated knots into their traditions and culture.

Think about the saying, “tying the knot.” It comes from the tradition of when a couple would have their hands tied together during a wedding ceremony. This act can be found in various European countries, and similar acts are found across Asian cultures. Despite that many modern couples don’t practice these traditions anymore, it’s common for said brides and grooms to wear love knot jewellery on their wedding day.

The Meaning of Love Knot Jewellery

To many, the act of tying a knot is binding, and most of the time, it’s hard to undo one. Think of the knots in your hair, your yarn or string, your accessories – you’re going to need scissors to be free of them or you have to sit and untangle. The same is applied to the Love Knot and the idea that it represents an unbreakable bond or commitment.

This is made even more apparent when said knots are made of metal. When jewellery is being made (and if it’s done well) it can appear seamless. There’s no telling which part of it was cast first or if it was made of multiple pieces or all at once. It’s a fluid representation of the bond between two people.

There are Different Types of Knots

Of course, not all knots are the same. Different love knots have different (but similar) meanings. There’s the Celtic Knot that represents life and death, in Ancient Egypt knots represented infinity and the eternal life of their gods, while in Ancient China, the knots were symbols of good luck.

With that being said, there is some overlap between these knots and today’s version. Again, it all comes down to the fact that there’s no official origin of the Love Knot, so there’s no way to determine which one is “official”.

Legends of the Love Knot

There are tons of stories about the Love Knot.

One folklore tells the story about a sailor being shipped off to sea. While he couldn’t afford a ring for his beloved, he fashioned a knot out of some old wire until he could give her one appropriate of his love for her.

Another tells the tale of lovers who would tie the branches of young trees into the shape of a knot. After some time, they would check to see if the tree grew in this shape or not. If it did, they would have a happy and healthy relationship. If not, well, you can piece it together.