In part 3 of the history of marriage, we spoke about the traditional bridal shower, bachelor party, the trousseau or dowry and the wedding cake. Now we are beginning to get down to the wedding itself.
The Empress Eugenie introduced the world to the white wedding gown when she married Napoleon the third who ruled France between 1853 and 1871. Women everywhere desired to be like her and began to wear a white gown when they got married. She chose white to signify her purity or virginity. Today, a white wedding gown still is one of the most popular colors.
Many couples today have probably lived together for several months or even years before they take the steps towards a wedding ceremony. In fact, a bridal shower can double as a baby shower in some instances. That means you would be able to get a bridal gift basket as well as a baby shower gift basket.
Another item of the wedding ceremony that has its roots in ancient times is the wedding ring. In ancient times, a husband would encircle the bride’s wrists and ankles with braided grass with a belief that it would prevent her soul from leaving her body. Over time, these “bands” became made up leather, carved stone and metal. Today, you will find them mainly in silver and gold and even some made of pewter.
Off Topic Breach: One of the greatest gifts you can provide to any new mother is a personalized baby gift basket. Baby gift baskets can be filled with anything from bottles to diapers and even baby toys.
The wedding rings purpose was to signify a union in ancient Egypt. It is believed that the Egyptians were the first to use wedding rings. The circle, according to Egyptian hieroglyphic script, represented eternity and marriage was seen as a permanent bond between two people. The endless circle showed the eternal nature of the bond, while the open center was meant to be a doorway to things unknown.
Do you know why the ring is placed on the third finger of the left hand? The ancient Egyptians believed that the vein that runs through the third finger on the left hand flowed directly to the heart. The Romans called it the “Vena Amoris” meaning vein of love. As a ring has no beginning or end, it symbolizes love and unity.
One of the oldest superstitions or traditions in the wedding is the throwing of rice, grain or nuts. In ancient times, it was believed that evil spirits were jealous of the groom and they must be appeased. The grain, nuts or rice were thrown to distract the evil spirits from the couple. Grain also represented life and growth. Therefore, the superstition of throwing rice or grain also symbolizes a primitive association between man, woman and the life bearing grain. It was also thought that the grain would help increase the bride’s fertility. Today, this would mean that you would be getting a new baby gift basket nine months after the wedding.
The tradition of throwing the bouquet came from the tradition of tossing out of the bride’s garter belt. It was thought that whoever caught the garter would get good luck. Brides who did not want to lose her garter have tossed out stockings. This did become popular for a short time. Until a bride decided she wanted to keep both her garter and her stocking and threw out her bouquet instead. The idea of the bride throwing something, whatever it may be, was to bring luck to the unmarried girls that had come to the wedding. Hence, the idea that whoever caught the bouquet would be next to marry.
Not many people know the history of the phrase “tying the knot”. It also stems from ancient times. The Danish started it. They would tie 2 pieces of ribbon or rope together during the ceremony signifying the couples union. This custom also spread to England, Holland and even Scotland.
The History of Marriage, Part 1
The History of Marriage, Part 2
The History of Marriage, Part 3
The History of Marriage, Part 5
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