This bright and bold Ketubah harnesses the symbolism of the Chamsa together with a transitional colour gradient overlaying a Mediterranean inspired tiled background to gesture the beauty, intricacy and serenity of marriage.
Here the glorious spectrum of a colour palette inspired by the Australian sunrise was evoked for the background upon which this Chamsa floats like a leaf upon the surface of water.
Of this couple, the bride to her groom is a sun who radiates love, light and warmth. The groom to his bride is an expansive and boundless sky, the canvas that supports and gives space and protects her. Together their love burns strongly and brightly.
With a love as illuminating and glorious as a dazzling sunrise, it seemed fitting to draw a colour palette during these magical moments of transition – when the sun is emerging from or descending into the horizon line of the ocean, which iterates into forever and expands as far as the eye can see.
This Ketubah was paired with a matching Birkat Habayit (Blessing for the Home).
The lace interior of the Chamsa is an intricate, soft blush pink and muted contrast to the textures and patterns of the background. A gentle pink / purple halo around the hymn and initials visually connects with, and echos the washes in the background.
The Chamsa is outlined in metallic gold to bestow a glimmering shimmer to the work which dazzles in the sunlight.
As a motif, the Chamsa signifies the five digits / fingers of the Chamsa hand, the five books of the Torah and the fifth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet “ה” (one of God’s holy names). In this way, the Chamsa symbolises the hand of God and consequently is a protective sign believed to bring the home happiness, health and Hashems blessing.
By framing the text of the Ketubah within this motif originating from biblical times, this Ketubah ushers in these many associations into your new home as a married couple.
The hymn “אני לדודי ודודי לי – I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine” (Song of Songs – Shir HaShirim 6:3), a romantic declaration written by King Solomon to express the affinity between husband and wife, wraps around the pairing of the initials to create a dome. This psalm evokes the intrinsic commitment, care and responsibility mutually undertaken by husband and wife in their journey through life’s waters.
The paper is textured, porous and bears the gestures of the brush, yielding depth to the design.
Photos from the wedding ceremony courtesy of Nadine Saacks Photography: http://www.nadinesaacks.com/
