The love spoon is a tradition that has endured over the centuries in Wales, but what was their original purpose? There is no definite answer to this, as love spoons have held slightly different meanings throughout the ages and in varying cultural contexts. However, here is a look at how the use of the love spoon has evolved over time.
The spoon has always held a symbolic power, being one of the first means of providing sustenance and life to humans. The wooden spoon has traditionally had a place at the heart of the kitchen, used for mixing and preparing foods. The natural strength and antibacterial properties of wood make it the ideal material for a cooking utensil.
While the first more decoratively carved wooden spoons may have retained their purpose in the kitchen, over time the role of the love spoon has evolved to a purely symbolic and ornamental one. They would be hung on the wall beside the fire, usually from a length of ribbon, or just from a convenient nook in the handle of the spoon.
In Scandinavian and some African countries, two wooden love spoons were traditionally linked at the handle, and gifted to a newly married couple on their wedding day, to symbolise the new unity in marriage. The couple would them use the spoons to eat from the same bowl.
In Wales, the love spoon was first intended as a romantic gift, carved by a young man with a pocket knife out of a piece of close-grained wood, such as limewood, sycamore, or walnut. He would carve a symbol into the handle, such as a heart or flower, to express his love and devotion to his sweetheart.
If the father of the lady in question approved of the level of craftsmanship in the spoon, it was said he agreed to give away his daughter’s hand in marriage. Therefore, the love spoon was a way to showcase an aptitude for skilled manual work, which demonstrated that the man would make a good husband and provider.
The Welsh love spoon is now given as a gift for a variety of special occasions, including weddings, births, anniversaries, and valentine’s presents. The hand carved wooden spoons have always carried symbols, and these too have changed and evolved over time. Early versions often featured hearts, anchors, or crosses, symbols of love and Christ.
Now, the spoons can also carry the traditional emblems of Welsh national identity, such as Celtic knotwork, the red dragon, and daffodils. Other popular designs include the twisted stem, which featured an intertwined carving, symbolic of love and togetherness. The spoon is then topped by a heart shape, to form a pleasing symmetrical pattern.
Further designs include the angel, which is symbolic of protection and God’s love. A ball in a cage represents ‘love held safe’, and the number of children a couple shall have; bells represent weddings and the joy of music, and storks represent congratulations for a newborn or baby on the way, or a wish to have a child.