Algerian Love Knot

Algerian Love Knot

Many people have been intrigued by the Algerian love knot worn by Vesper in Casino Royale, wanting to learn more about it.

Quite simply a love knot is a stylised knot used as an symbol of love consisting of three or more intertwined rings made from wire or tubing that are flattened after assembly. Most commonly encountered as the Celtic love knot, it symbolises completeness and stability and can be found in several cultures.

Since the dawn of time primitive cultures believed that knots possessed magical powers. These magical powers can be used for good or evil, but generally associated with one of four things: the weather; health; love; and spirits. Of course these primitive cultures also founds knots to be an indispensable tool, but in addition to magic and the obvious tying, they can be used for other purposes. For example, although the Incas had no written language, they were able to transact business using a system of knotted cords, and Native American tribes used knots as communication tools.

It is thought that love knots became popular in the eighteenth century as a complex knot by sailors to remind them of their loved ones, and then in the United States when complex hand drawn designs used in courtship for marriage proposals became known as lover’s knots or love knots.

In Casino Royale, Vesper wears an Algerian love knot necklace. Made by Sophie Harley, Vesper wears the necklace throughout the film until she discards it towards the end; it was supposedly given by her lover.

While the original version is prohibitively expensive, the good news is that there is also a budget alternative in sterling silver inspired by Vesper’s Algerian love knot that can be shipped worldwide from the United States. See the link below for full information and ordering.