Spellcraft And EarthMagick

The history of the Welsh love spoon



According to Welsh folklore, these ornately carved spoons were traditionallymade from a single piece of wood by young men as a love token for their sweethearts. to show his affection and intentions for his loved one.
The earliest surviving example, displayed in the Welsh Folk museum in Cardiff, is dated around 1667, although the tradition probably dates back long before that.

The love spoon originated from the "cawl" (soup) spoon. Over generations decorative carvings were added to the spoon and it lost it’s original practical use and became a treasured decorative item that would be hung proudly on a wall. Over decades certain symbols came to have different meanings, (see the list below).
Sailors would often carve love spoons during their long journeys, which is why anchors would often be incorporated.

Today, love spoons are requested from all over the world. They are given as gifts for weddings, engagements, christenings, birthdays and anniversaries or as a love token and as a souvenir from Wales.

Although the Welsh lovespoon is the most famous there are also traditions of lovespoons in Scandanavia and some parts of Eastern Europe, which have their own unique styles and techniques.

Meanings -

Wheel - Supporting a loved one.
Leaves - Love grows
Stork and baby - New baby.
Ring - Together forever.
Knot - Everlasting and together forever.
Key and keyhole - Home together, my house is yours and security.
Horseshoe - Good luck and happiness.
Hearts - True love.
Harp - Traditional Welsh symbol.
Flowers - Affection
Dragon - national symbol and strength/protection
Diamond - wealth and good fortune
Daffodil - National symbol and sign of affection
Cross - faith and marriage
Birds - Two lovebirds
Bell - weddings

Anchor - security and the desire to settle down

When a suitor gave his love the spoon he had carved his sweetheart would place the spoon on the wall above the dinning table. This means any one coming to the house would know that the girl is spoken for or engaged. Welsh people were often too poor to buy expensive jewelry therefore accepting a love spoon from a sweetheart was the same as getting engaged.

I was born and bred in Wales so this custom was still around when I was a child. My father knowing my mother was fond of this custom found he was useless at carving the love token. As he was a sailor in the Royal Navy he got an African carver to make it. When he collected the commisioned spoon he found that the carver had carved him two spoons in the African style, one was a male spoon and the other was female. The spoon part was the head and then there was a body and two legs as the handle. A very unusual take on the tradition.

oh that sounds lovely, cariadwen. I bet it was a much treasured item in your household.

I had an uncle who made the most wonderfully intricate spoons and they take pride of place in the homes of my relatives.
Love Light and Peace

Tinc x