The white dress hangs on a hanger, the wedding rings are waiting in a decorative box, and the parents are preparing for the blessing - the wedding day is fast approaching. But have you ever wondered what the various wedding symbols mean? We will try to briefly tell the story of some of them.
Preparations for your dream wedding day last for months. Lovers make every effort to ensure that everything is buttoned up to the last detail. To make every element of your wedding day run smoothly and without any complications. The future wife is thinking about choosing the perfect white wedding dress, the search for the perfect wedding rings is underway, and the wedding team is getting ready for the wedding ceremony. Everything is going according to tradition.
Where did these come from wedding customs? What does the white dress symbolize? Why should the groom carry his newlywed wife over the threshold? Where does the tradition of making oczepin come from? Many people cultivate various wedding customs, sometimes without even thinking about their meaning. What do they symbolize?
What do wedding rings symbolize?
Wedding rings, i.e. love, eternity and durability. It is an integral part of the wedding ceremony. The tradition of giving jewelry on a wedding carpet is over 5,000 years old. In the past, it was made of plants, leather or ivory. Later, silver and gold began to be used - which is still one of the most willingly used metals for making wedding rings. Wedding rings are not ordinary jewelry. They are a unique element that will remind the spouses of the vows made on the wedding day every day. That's why so many couples wonder how to choose wedding rings. For centuries, they have been a symbol of infinite love, fidelity and durability of a relationship. Giving a loved one such jewelry is a sign of hope that they will achieve unity and their love will last forever - despite all the adversities that stand in their way.
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The shape of the rings is very important. Our ancestors called it magical. They believed that a closed circle of wedding rings protected against evil spirits. The oval shape can also be understood as softening everything that is imperfect and "angular" in man. The lack of end and beginning in the ring refers to eternity.
Wedding symbols - bride's outfit
It is customary that the bride should wear a flawless white dress on her wedding day. Many a woman already as a little girl imagines this unique event. She dreams of looking phenomenal, the most beautiful in the world. She spins visions of the perfect wedding dress that will make her feel like a real princess.
Today, many women replace white dresses with other models - e.g. light pink or cream. They are guided by the principle of matching the creation to personal preferences and, interestingly, to wedding style. However, traditional creations still have wide group of supporters. And where did the custom of a white wedding dress come from? It turns out that wedding white does not have such a long tradition. Maria I Stuart put on such a creation for the first time at her wedding with Francis II of Valois. In order for such creations nand permanently entered the wedding fashion canon, we had to wait until the 20th century. It all started with the famous Coco Chanel dress from 1920 and only spread in the 1950s.
Today it is said that white is a symbol of purity of feelings. The nobility that should characterize the intention to marry. However, wedding white is not everything. There are many superstitions surrounding the creation of the bride. According to them, the future wife should be wearing something:
- blue - thanks to this, he will remain faithful in marriage,
- borrowed - which is to guarantee her good relations with her new family,
- new - to ensure abundance,
- old - which will evoke the support and help of loved ones in difficult times.
Wedding symbols during ceremony and reception
Symbols accompany the young throughout the wedding day. Before going to church, the future spouses are blessed by their parents. According to tradition, parents should make the sign of the cross, sprinkle the young with holy water and give God to take care of them. It was believed that a solemn blessing would protect lovers from evil and ensure mutual love and prosperity.
The bride and groom, leaving the church, are showered with rice or small money. In ancient times, rice was a symbol of fertility. It was believed that sprinkling small grains on the young ones would bring them happiness and a bunch of healthy offspring. Small money, on the other hand, symbolizes success and abundance. However, in order for the good omen to come true, the young must collect and hide all the coins.
After arriving at the wedding hall, the bride and groom sThey are greeted with bread and salt. This is an old custom derived from European folk beliefs. In the past, bread and salt were considered foods that were the basis of nutrition, the quintessence of life. They were believed to have exceptional life-giving, protective and cleansing properties. The custom is to ensure the newly-weds prosperity, eternal love and happiness.
The groom should carry his wife over the threshold by entering wedding hall. Why? This tradition has its roots in ancient Rome. It was believed that evil spirits that could harm a marriage were hiding under the threshold. Additionally, if the Bride stumbles across the threshold, it can bring misfortune to the relationship.
During the wedding party, oczepin must not be missing. It is an old Slavic custom that symbolizes the Bride's transition from unmarried to married. The name of the rite comes from the bonnet - a head covering worn by married women.
How did the oczepiny go? At midnight, the bride went to a side room. The bridesmaids took off her wreath, cut off her braid and put on a wedding bonnet made of white linen. Currently, the custom of putting on a bonnet is replaced by throwing a veil and a bow tie towards the brides and grooms gathered at the wedding. The ritual is usually accompanied by games led by the keeper.
Wedding symbols give the wedding day a unique character. They make it extraordinary. Therefore, it is not worth excluding them - at least some of them.