A Silver Sixpence In Her Shoe?
Have you ever wondered where some of wedding's traditions and rituals have come from? And what is their significance? What does "tie the knot" mean? Why is the bride always on the left? And those candy-coated almonds that sit at every guest's place setting; what are those about?
Everyone knows the four line wedding rhyme, but what does it really mean?
Something old,
Something new,
Something borrowed,
Something blue.
But do you know the fifth, less famous line? Well, the line is "wears a silver sixpence in her shoe.
If you do know it, do you know where it originates? The entire rhyme comes from the Victorian Era and almost every bride has complied with it because they fear bad luck for their marriage if they don"t. It is said that if you follow the rhyme that it is a way of insurance for future happiness.
Now, let's take the rhyme line by line.
- Something old refers to continuity. A happily married woman, usually a close friend of the bride, would give the bride a garter to wear. Apparently the garter had the power to transfer happiness from the giver to the bride. This tradition represents a link from the bride's old life to her new family.
- Something new symbolizes the future prosperity of the newlyweds. Most times the "new" is the bride's gown. But according to tradition it can be anything of the bride's choosing.
- Something borrowed helps ensure the couple's future happiness. But only with the item borrowed being returned to its owner after the ceremony. The borrowed item should be from the bride's family.
- Something blue represents modesty, love and fidelity. Evidently in early biblical times, the color blue signified purity. Decades ago, white meant purity.
- A silver sixpence in her shoe refers to happiness and wealth for the newlyweds. A sixpence was presented to the bride from the groom as a token of his love.
Wedding Traditions Explained
Bridal Shower - The shower began in Holland. If the bride's father didn't agree with or approve of the groom, he wouldn't provide her a dowry. The bride's friends would then "shower" her with gifts. Then the bride would have her dowry and could marry the man of her choice. Dowries have vanished but showers and gifts still remain.
Hidden Behind the Veil - There are three thoughts behind the bride's veil. The first is that the veil was meant to disguise the bride from evil spirits. In Roman times, brides were thought to be vulnerable to evil spirits that hovered during the wedding day.
The second concept is that the veil is used by the man to cover his "chosen one", or wife, after he'd captured her. He had to do this before fleeing with her.
The final belief is that during an arranged marriage, the bride's family would hide or obstruct her face from the groom. This way the groom couldn't see the bride's face. It was believed that if the groom saw his bride, he might change his marriage-based mind and embarrass his family by backing out.
Bride on the Left - It is said that this custom dates back to ancient times. The groom would capture his bride without her family's consent. Then if the need to fight for her arose, the groom could easily hold her at his left side while freeing his right side for battling.
Wedding Candle - The flames on the side of taper candles represent the bride, groom and the ties to their families. The middle candle, or unity candle, symbolizes the marriage and the new family. When the two flames unite, it means that the flames are one and can no longer be separated. This also holds true for the bride and groom. They are now also united.
The side tapers can be blown out to stand for the start of your new life together. They can continue to burn to signify the lasting family ties. The unity candle is not a religious symbol and doesn't identify with any certain denomination.
Honeymoons - This dates back to ancient times and the Teutonic people. Their weddings were only performed under a full moon. After the ceremony, the couple would drink honey wine for one full moon (month) cycle. Hence the word "honey-moon".
Cross the Threshold - This dates back to Anglo-Saxon times. The groom is actually protecting the bride from harm. It was said to be unlucky if the bride should fall down when entering her new home.
It was further considered very unlucky if the bride were to enter her new home with her right foot. So to prevent harm, or unluckiness, the groom would sweep the bride off her feet and carry her through the doorway.
So now that you've learned some wedding etiquette and traditions, here's a few more interesting tidbits.
What Does It Mean?
Toss the Bouquet - The bride will pass along her good fortune to others.
The Kiss - A Roman Times tradition that was viewed as a legal bond that would seal the contract of marriage.
White Aisle Runner - This symbolizes God's holiness. If this runner is present and walked upon, then God will be actually involved in the ceremony and marriage.
Tying the Knot - Another Roman Times tradition that refers to the bride. She would wear a girdle that was tied in many knots. The groom was expected to untie all the knots.
Rice Throwing - A symbol of fertility and a wish for a full pantry.
The Word "Bride" - This is an Old English word that also meant cook.
The Ring Finger - This particular finger was designated by Ancient Romans and Greeks because the vein in this finger (third finger on the left hand) was believed to go directly to the heart. It was dubbed the "vein of love" finger.
Flowers - Their presence means fertility, a new life and never ending love.
The Wedding Cake - The cake was not eaten. It was thrown at the bride.
The Garter - This is an ancient custom to ensure that the couple consummates their marriage. Witnesses would take the garter back as proof of consummation of the marriage.
The White Dress - This was a sign of purity and virginity but it was also thought to have fended off evil spirits. The Greeks associated the white dress with youth and joy.
Jordan Almonds - These tasty treats come from a Middle Eastern tradition. Each guest should be given a satchel with five almonds to portray five wedding wishes. Those five wishes are fertility, health, wealth, happiness and longevity. The almond is coated with candy to denote the bitterness and the sweetness of marriage.
