|
Traditions/Superstitions
Carrying the Bride Over the Threshold
There seems to be two explanations for this tradition where the groom
carries his bride over the threshold when entering their home as a
married couple for the first time. The first is to protect the bride
from evil spirits that were thought to be lying in wait under the
threshold.
The second explanation comes from the times of the Romans,
when men ALWAYS opened doors for ladies, this would just seem like a
natural thing to do, but yes, even this has significant meaning. It is
considered bad luck for the bride to trip or stumble as she crosses
the threshold of her new house, and, if it were to happen, the
marriage would be doomed to failure.
So, to combat this, the groom would carry his bride over the
threshold making sure she didn't trip. If the groom tripped however,
well, no superstition will act against them, (although we haven't
established the likely outcome, but I wouldn't want to be the bride he
fell on!)
Why is Rain on your Wedding Day lucky?
It is said that a wet knot is more difficult to untie.
The Ring Finger
A bride's engagement ring and wedding ring are traditionally worn
on the third finger of the left hand (the finger next to your little
finger). Although there is no precise evidence to explain the origin
of this tradition, there are three strongly held beliefs.
The first, dating back to the 3rd. century Greece, is that the ring
finger was the index finger. In India it was the thumb.
The second, from the 17th century, is that during a Christian wedding
the priest arrived at the forth finger (counting the thumb) after
touching the three fingers on the left hand '...in the name of the
Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost'.
The third belief refers to an Egyptian or possibly Greek belief that
the ring finger follows the vena amoris, that is, the vein of love
that runs directly to the heart.
The Wedding Ring
In early Rome gold was highly prized. A gold band came to
symbolize eternity, everlasting love and commitment in marriage.
Ancient rings were forged of iron, to last forever like marriage.
Roman wedding rings were carved with two clasped hands. Very early
rings had a carved key through which a woman was thought to be able to
open her husband's heart.
The Engagement Ring
In 860 A.D., Pope Nicholas I decreed that an engagement ring
become a required statement of nuptial intent. He insisted that
engagement rings had to be made of gold which signified a financial
sacrifice on the part of the prospective husband.
During the Roman era, the man had to barter for his future bride. The
engagement ring was security for the betrothed.
The tradition of the diamond engagement ring comes from the 15th.
century Venetians. Since the diamond was the hardest and most enduring
substance in nature it followed that the engagement and marriage would
endure forever.
Bridal Flowers
The carrying of flowers by the bride has its roots in ancient times
when it was believed that strong smelling herbs and spices would ward
off and drive away evil spirits, bad luck and ill health. Garlic and
chives were also popular for the same reason. During Roman times, this
tradition was extended, with the bride and groom wearing floral
garlands signifying new life and hope for fertility. The bouquet in
particular symbolized a women in bloom. During Victorian times,
flowers took on an additional significance as lovers would send
messages to each other using different flowers, with each flower
having its own meaning. These associations were soon adopted for the
bride's bouquet and are still used today by many brides. The most
popular flowers with their traditional meanings are:
| Apple Blossom - Better things to come |
Rose (coral) - Desire |
| Camelia - Graditude |
Rose (peach) - Modesty |
| Carnation - Fascination and love |
Rose (dark pink) - Thankfulness |
| Chrysanthemum - Red - I love you |
Rose (pale pink) - Grace |
| Chrysanthemum - White - Truth |
Rose (orange) - Fascination |
| Cyclamen - Modesty and shyness |
Rose (white) - Innocence |
| Daffodil - Regard |
Lily - Majesty |
| Daisy - Innocence |
Lily-of-the-valley - Return of happiness |
| Fern - Fascination and sincerity |
Magnolia - Perseverance |
| Flowering Almond - Hope |
Maidenhair - Discretion |
| Forget-me-not - True love and
remembrance |
Mimosa - Sensitivity |
| Heliotrope - Devotion and faithfulness |
Orange Blossom - Purity and virginity |
| Honeysuckle - Generosity |
Peach Blossom - Captive |
| Hyacinth - Loveliness |
Rose (red) - Love |
| Hydrangea - Boastfulness |
Rose (yellow) - Friendship |
| Iris - Warmth of affection |
Rosemary - Remembrance |
| Ivy - Eternal fidelity |
Snowdrop - Hope |
| Japonica - Loveliness |
Sweet Pea - Delicate pleasures |
| Jasmine - Amiability |
Tulip - Love |
| Lemon Blossom - Fidelity in love |
Veronica - Fidelity |
| Lilac (white) - Youthful innocence |
Violet - Faithfulness |
First on the Dance Floor
At the evening celebrations, the bride and groom traditionally dance
first on their own to a waltz. However, as ballroom dancing is not so
popular these days, the newlyweds usually dance to a favorite romantic
song. During the playing of this song, it is traditional for the groom
to dance with his new mother-in-law and then with his mother, while
the bride dances with her new father-in-law and then with her father.
The best man also joins in dancing with the chief bridesmaid and the
ushers with the other bridesmaids when the bride and groom first
change. After the first dance, all the guests are invited to join the
newlyweds on the dance floor.
The Wedding Cake
In the 1st. century B.C. in Rome, the cake was thrown at the bride
or broken over her head as one of the many fertility symbols which
then were a part of the marriage ceremony.
The Best Man
Among the Germanic Goths of northern Europe in 200 A.D., a man
usually married a woman from within his own community. However, when
there were fewer women, the prospective bridegroom would capture his
bride from a neighboring village. The bridegroom was accompanied by
his strongest friend (or best friend), who helped him capture his
bride.
Why does the Bride stand to the Groom's Left?
After the bridegroom captured his bride, he placed her on his left
to protect her, thus freeing his right hand or sword hand against
sudden attack.
The Honeymoon
After "kidnaping" his bride, the groom would take her
and go into hiding. By the time the bride's family tracked them down
them, the bride would probably already be pregnant! A "bride
price" would then be negotiated.
The Term "Wedding"
Although some brides were kidnaped, marriage by purchase was the
preferred method of obtaining a wife. The "bride price"
could be land, social status, political alliances, or cash. The
Anglo-Saxon word "wedd" meant that the groom would vow to
marry the woman, but it also referred to the bride price (money or
barter) to be paid by the groom to the bride's father. The root of the
word "wedding" literally means to gamble or wager!
The Phrase "To Tie The Knot"
The term "tie the knot" also goes back to ancient tribal
days a girl was wrapped in a sheet with a knot tied in the front,
signifying to the groom and his family that she was a virgin.
In Roman times, the bride would wear a girdle that was tied in many
knots which the groom had the "duty" of untying.
Bridal Showers
This custom came about when a father disapproved of his daughter's
marriage and refused to provide a dowry to the couple. The shower
became the alternative to the dowry.
Supportive villagers would assemble and provide the bride a variety of
household items for her new home.
Bridal showers were meant to strengthen the ties between the bride
and her friends, provide her moral support, and help her prepare for
her marriage. Gift giving dates from the 1890's.
Stag Parties
In Sparta, during the height of Greek civilization, soldiers were the
first to hold stag parties. The groom would have a party for his
friends the night before he was to marry. He would bid farewell to his
bachelorhood and pledge his continued allegiance to his comrades.
The Bridal Party
This term has many origins from different cultures. In Anglo-Saxon
times, the groom had the help of "bridesmen" or "brideknights"
to help him capture and/or escort his bride. Later they would make
sure that the bride got to the church and to the groom's home
afterwards. The women who accompanied and assisted the bride were
called "bridesmaids" or "brideswomen".
Arch Of Swords
Walking through the arc of swords following the ceremony was done
to ensure the couple's safe passage into their new life together.
The Traditional White Wedding Dress
In 1499, Ann of Brittany popularized the white wedding gown. Prior to
that time, a woman simply wore her best dress or a new dress without
regard to the basic color.
Did you know that a bride and her bridesmaids used to dress
identically?
In tribal times, superstitions ran wild. It was thought to confuse
evil spirits if the parties were dressed alike. The ringing of church
bells and the release of doves also warded off these spirits.
Something Old, Something New...
The full wording of this popular bridal attire rhyme, which dates
back to the Victorian times is 'something old, something new,
something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in your
shoe'.
Something old refers to wearing something that represents a link with
the bride's family and her old life. Usually, the bride wears a piece
of family jewelry or maybe her mother's or grandmother's wedding
dress.
Wearing something new represents good fortune and success in the
bride's new life. The bride's wedding dress is usually chosen, if
purchased new, but it can be any other new item of the bride's wedding
attire.
Wearing something borrowed, which has already been worn by a happy
bride at her wedding, is meant to bring good luck to the marriage.
Something borrowed could be an item of bridal clothing, a handkerchief
or an item of jewelry.
In early Biblical times, blue not white symbolized purity and
fidelity. Both the bride and groom usually wore a band of blue
material around the bottom of their wedding attire, hence the
tradition of "something blue". Over time this has evolved
from wearing a blue clothing to wearing a blue band around the bottom
of the bride's dress and to modern times where the bride wears a blue
or blue-trimmed garter.
...and a Silver Sixpence in your shoe
Placing a silver sixpence in the bride's left shoe is a symbol of
wealth. This is not just to bring the bride financial wealth but also
a wealth of happiness and joy throughout her married life.
Garter and Bridal Bouquet Toss
It was customary in the 14th century for the bride to toss her garter
to the men. Pieces of the bridal attire were considered lucky.
Sometimes the men would get drunk, become impatient, and try to remove
the garter ahead of time. Therefore, the custom evolved for the groom
to remove and toss the garter. With that change the bride started to
toss the bridal bouquet to the unwed girls of marriageable age.
In the United States, the groom traditionally removes the garter from
the bride and throws it to the unmarried men. The man who catches it
is thought to be the next to marry. At some weddings the man who
catches the garter will place it on the leg of the lady who caught the
bouquet or they may start the next dance. It is also common for the
recipients of the bouquet and garter to have a photograph taken with
the bride and groom.
The garter is placed on the brides right leg, just above the knee.
Why it is "bad luck" for the
groom to see the bride before the ceremony?
Until relatively recently, brides were considered the property of
their father. Their futures and husbands were arranged without their
consent. The marriage of an unattractive woman was often arranged with
a prospective groom from another town without either of them having
ever seen their prospective spouse. In more than one instance, when
the groom saw his future wife, usually dressed in white, for the first
time on the day of the wedding, he changed his mind and left the bride
at the altar. To prevent this from happening, it became "bad
luck" for the groom to see the bride on the day of the wedding
prior to the ceremony.
The Wedding Veil
The origin of the wedding veil is unclear but it is thought that it
predates the wedding dress by centuries. One explanation is that it is
a relic of the days when a groom would throw a blanket over the head
of the woman of his choice when he captured her and carted her off.
Another explanation is that during the times of arranged marriages,
the bride's face was covered until the groom was committed to her at
the ceremony - so it would be too late for him to run off if he didn't
like the look of her! It is also thought that the veil was worn to
protect the bride from evil spirits that would be floating around on
her wedding day.
To prevent the groom from seeing the brides' face till after the
ceremony was over, brides began to wear opaque yellow veils. Not only
could the groom not see in, the bride could not see out. Therefore,
the father of the bride had to escort her down the aisle and literally
give the bride to the groom.
These origins have all evolved into the tradition that the veil covers
the bride's face throughout the ceremony until the minister pronounces
the couple man and wife - although today, the veil is often lifted
when the bride arrives at the alter.
Today, prior to a Jewish wedding ceremony, it is the groom who
ritually "veils the bride". This reason for this tradition
goes back to the marriage of Jacob to Leah (the older sister) when he
thought he was marrying Rachel (the younger sister) whom he loved.
The Kiss
No ceremony is complete without the kiss. In fact, there was a time
when an engagement would be null and void without one. Dating back
from early Roman times, the kiss represented a legal bond that sealed
all contracts.
Throwing of Rice/Flowers
When thrown as the couple exited the church, throwing of rice and
flowers represented the wish for the couple to have a fruitful and
plentiful life together. Originally rice and wheat were thrown over
the married couple to represent the hope for fertility. When
rose pedals are thrown before the bride as she walks down the aisle,
it is to ward-off evil spirits below the ground and grant fertility.
International
Traditions
Armenia
In Armenia, two white doves were set free to symbolize love and
happiness.
Bermuda
The wedding cake in Bermuda was a multi-level fruitcake and included a
small cedar tree on top. This tree was planted and is supposed to grow
with the love of the bride and groom.
England
- - If an English bride passed a chimney sweep on her way to
the church, and the chimney sweep kissed her, it was considered good
luck.
- - In England, the bride wouldn't allow her married name to be used
before the wedding for it was considered bad luck.
Holland/Switzerland
In Holland and Switzerland a pine tree, a symbol of fertility and
luck, was once planted outside a new couple's home.
Italy
- - In Italy, the groom's tie was cut into pieces and sold to the
guests at the reception. The money earned is used for the honeymoon.
- - Flowers decorated the front of the bridal car in Italy so that the
bride and groom would have happy travels throughout life together.
Japan
- - In Japan, brides change their bridal attire several times
throughout the wedding day.
- - In Japan, ducks or a goose and gander were included in the
processional because they mate for life and are a symbol for fidelity.
Poland
In Poland, guests paid to dance with the bride and this money is used
for the honeymoon.
South Africa
In South Africa, both bride's and groom's parents carried a fire from
the hearths of their own homes and took this fire to the new couple's
home to begin the fire in their home.
Spain
During the reception in Spain, wedding guests danced a special dance
and then present gifts to the bride.
|
