Blog Post 3 - Cultural Markers

Welsh Cultural Marker - Love spoons

Have you ever heard of a love spoon? I wouldn't expect you to, it's quite common that people don't know where or know about Wales. Love spoons are one of many symbolic representations of the Welsh Culture. It is believed that the first welsh lovespoon dates right back to the 17th century. In the Welsh tradition, men would carve lovespoons out of wood and give them to their lovers as many men didn't know how to write or read, so this was a way of conveying their love. This would be an effective communication through this cultural marker as it was another way to express their feelings as they didn't have the knowledge to read or write. The wood carvers have been using timber (traditional wood) for the love spoons. The earliest dated love spoon was found that was dated to be made in 1667 that is now kept at St. Fagans Museum of Welsh Life, although the tradition has been apart of the welsh culture before this time. It is an important symbol that represents our culture because it has been apart of our heritage for many centuries.

What exactly is a welsh love spoon? A love spoon is a carved piece of wood that is presents with meaningful designs, of which have special meanings. These special symbols and meanings can be found within of engraves on the spoon. During the 17th century, many people did not know how to read of write so to illustrate their love and affection to their lovers, they would carve out a love spoon. 

Carved with Diamond, Heart and Ball in Cage

The History of the Love spoon

Like stated above, traditionally, love spoons were normally made by younger men throughout long winter nights or even young men who were travelling long journeys. They carved spoons to express what they wanted in their relationships as well as their intentions towards the sweetheart. Why a spoon? A spoon was symbolic to the need to support or to "feed" his lover with the symbols that were carved on the spoon. In other words, he would give the spoon to his lover to show what he desired and wish to have in the relationship. The spoon wouldn't be used, it would be used as a ornamental gift. The love spoons were practiced right through the 17th, 18th and 19th century although the making of the love spoon started to fade by the end of the 19th century. BUT !! it was revived and is still in the process for more than 40 years.

Special Meanings:

Bell - symbol that symbolises weddings or anniversaries

Balls - are kept in a cage that symbolises the number of children. The cage hold the wooden balls that are carved to represent the number of children he would like to have. 

Cross - religious symbol that represents faith

Diamond - as you would expect, it represents good fortune and wealth. Love spoons that have a diamond shape in the spoon would give hope of wealth.

Love Spoons

Heart - common symbol of which symbolises Love. This symbol would be given to his lover to say that he was giving her his heart. The heart can also be found with a chain, this symbolises that they are 'linking' together, living their lives together.

Horseshoe - Luck, symbolises that the lover wishes and hopes for good luck within their relationship.

Key/Keyhole- Security + home. The key illustrates that he is giving the key to his heart and the key hole meanings that he is allowing her to know that they can live together.

Knot/Celtic knot work- This symbol would be carved into the love spoon to represent that he wishes that their love would last forever. 

Love spoons today are still very popular not only to lover but to family, friends and even to those who are visiting the country. They are also presented in special occasions such as weddings, births, christenings and even retirement.

Work Cited Page

"Welsh Love Spoons." Welsh Love Spoon Symbols. N.p., 17 Oct. 2012. Web. 17 Sept. 2016.

"Lovespoons." Wales. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2016.

"History of Welsh Love Spoons." History of Welsh Lovespoons. N.p., 17 Oct. 2012. Web. 17 Sept. 2016.

Ltd, A5 Multimeida. "The Welsh Lovespoons Centre." Welsh Lovespoons with Free Engraving Available on Our Hand Carved Love Spoons from Our Online Shop. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2016.