Wedding
Traditions:
Something Borrowed, Something Blue...
Was there ever a time when you stopped and thought about
what a wedding would have been like many years ago? Do you
ever wonder if they are in any way similar to how they
are now? There
are certain sayings and traditions that have come
from the past, and just seemed to stick. The history and
roots of the traditional
wedding is steeped in history. The marriages of the past
have paved the way for weddings of today.
The weddings of the past were merely for survival of a name
and procreation. Today worrying about a tribe, and the future
of it, is not the reason of marriage. It is out of love that
bonds man and woman in holy matrimony. Many traditions have
indeed carried over from the past and are incorporated into
the ceremony and the following reception. From the white gown
and flowing veil and train, all the way down to the timeless
saying, “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed,
and Something Blue”.
This saying dates back to the Victorian era, and was believed
to be good luck for the bride whenever she used this old superstition
in her wedding. The bride linked to her past, such using perhaps
her mothers wedding gown or veil. It was worn as a tribute,
hence, something old. New shoes or a new string of pearls can
be used to represent something new. This primarily was used
to give success and good fortune to the bride. When the bride
wears a token of friendship lent by someone close, it symbolizes
something borrowed. Wearing a blue ribbon or garter, is believed
throughout time to be related to loyalty and faithfulness,
and finally this is where the something blue can about.
There is sometimes an additional saying to this tradition
and it involves placing a silver coin in the shoe of the bride.
This is meant to incite wealth on her. It was usually a Sixpence.
However, today they are not easy to find, so any silver coin
will do. The wedding traditions of today are directly related
to tradition that was forged many years ago. It was generally
around the fifteen to sixteen hundreds that started most of
the traditions that we know of today. It is believed the Celts
in old Ireland started the tradition of a white wedding gown
and veil. The timeless tradition of tossing the bouquet backwards
to the waiting hands of many single women at the wedding is
believed to be from that time, as well. As with most things
in life, history has shaped what is known today. Wedding traditions
are no exception to that rule. Many cultures have their own
unique and interesting wedding traditions and they have seemed
to withstand the tests of time, not unlike our own. One example
of a wedding tradition still used. is with the Jewish or Hebrew
faith, where a glass is broken once the new couple has been
pronounced man and wife. Some tribes in Africa, still hand
over livestock and food items to the bride’s family.
The reception has been noted to be a tradition that has dated
back many centuries, as well. One could easily assume that
this tradition is not going anywhere, any time soon. The premise
of the wedding reception has not strayed from its original
root very much. It was a party or celebration for the new couple
to start their new life together on the right foot, as well
a showing of appreciation for the bond that they have embarked
on. The pledge of marriage is the single most honorable pledge
that is made in a lifetime. This in itself is a timeless tradition
that is generally done before friends and family. It is said
the wedding pledge is the most sublime, yet the most basic
pledge in this day and age. The Greeks used the term “wed”,
which means, “pledge”. No matter where the pledge is performed
or under which religion or culture to wed, or marry is and
always will be a pledge. In reality there are very few things
in life these days that carry with them the embodiment of tradition,
weddings will always be something that has one form or another
of tradition attached to it. # # # # #
KissMeGoodnight.com
: 2006
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