(Devinctio), in antiquity, was used to signify a love charm or incantation to gain the affection of a person beloved.

It was done by tying knots; and is thus described by Virgil in his eighth Eclogue:

Nec te tribus nodis ternos, Amorylli, colores: Nec te, Amarylli, modo; et Veneris, dic, vincula neclo.