(Divinatio), 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:

Necete tribus nodis ternos, Amarylli, colores: Necete, Amarylli, modo; et Veneris, die, vincula neco.