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08 Nov Brazilian Bahia Wish Bands
This ritual is a great alternative to a butterfly ceremony (which can be fraught with complications) as essentially both the butterfly release and the Bahia bands are seeking the fulfilment of wishes.
The tying of Bahia bands is a Brazilian tradition which is symbolic of faith and good fortune.
Thought to bring the wearer good luck, the colour of the band is also chosen for the properties or message which that colour conveys.
In a wedding ceremony the band is tied around the bride and grooms wrists, knotting it three times. With each knot a wish is made. Tradition suggests that when the band organically falls from the body the wishes will come true.
This simple ritual can incorporate others into the inner sanctum of the ceremony by getting them to do the tying ( i.e. the mother’s could tie and knot the bands on their child’s wrist) or even all the guests could have their own bands. There are so many wonderful way to use this simple time honoured tradition.
The introduction to this sub ritual in a wedding ceremony could go something like:
Tying of threads, cords, or ribbons around the wrists of a bride and groom is used in many cultures, in Hinduism the belief is that the body and soul are firmly tied together; in Chinese culture the strings of fate are used to connect two people who are destined to be together and The Celts use a hand fasting to bind couples and this is where the term ‘Tying the Knot’ originated. Brazilians also wear Bahia ribbons which are a symbol of faith and are a charm for good luck.
Today bride and groom have chosen to recognise their deep connection by not only exchanging rings but by each wearing a Bahia wish band. They will each tie a band around the wrist of the other and knot it three times, with each knot they make a wish.
Once the Bahia bracelet, on its own accord, falls from the wrist, it is believed that their three wishes will come true.