With This Ring 119
WEDDING
Superstitions
Many wedding traditions are based on ancient superstitions. In New Zealand, due to decades of immigration by many different cultures we have embraced a hybrid of customs from all over the world. Frequently they have evolved into modern versions of old traditions and sometimes the original meaning has been lost. But even the most modern wedding includes a superstition or two, so try these for size!
BRIDAL COLOURS – this rhyme originates in medieval Europe. It doesn’t mention white for a wedding as that wasn’t introduced until Victorian times. It also doesn’t include Asian cultures for whom red and saffron yellow are important colours for weddings, religion and good luck.
NOT SEEING EACH OTHER BEFORE THE WEDDING – considered bad luck by most couples, the custom originated in the days of arranged marriages so that the Groom didn’t have time to change his mind if he didn’t like the look of his bride! This tradition is being discarded by modern couples in favour of the candid “first look” photo before the ceremony.
Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow Married in Green, afraid to be seen Married in Pink, your spirit will sink Married in Grey, you will go far away Married in Black, you will wish yourself back Married in Blue your marriage will be true
AT THE CEREMONY – the Bride stands to the left of the Groom because in the past he could fend off other suitors with a sword held in his right hand. Historically marriages were performed by a religious figure and the couple faced the altar and cross. Modern marriages are frequently secular and the couple face one another to make their vows.
WEDDING JEWELLERY – diamonds are supposedly for ever, but historically the sapphire was the colour of fidelity. Don’t drop a ring at the ceremony, for whoever drops it will apparently die first. The unbroken shape of the wedding ring symbolised unbroken vows for life and a gold ring was the most enduring of metals.
PHOTO BY MONACO GRAND MECURE
THROWING THE BOUQUET – instead of tearing a piece off the bride’s dress for luck and supposedly becoming the next person to marry, throwing the flowers was introduced so that the dress survived the wedding.
CHANGING YOUR NAME – it was thought unlucky for the bride to have a maiden name beginning with the same letter as the groom’s surname.
“To change the name but not the letter Is change for the worst and not the better.”
TOSSING THE GARTER – the Bride’s garter was originally thrown by the Groom from the wedding chamber to waiting guests to show that the marriage had just been consumated!
TOKENS OF LOVE – Weddings are celebrated in many cultures by items that are thrown (rice or confetti for good luck), flown (doves for love and peace), blown (balloons to start their journey), flung (shoes to dissuade other suitors), rung (bells to announce the marriage) and rattled (tin cans to ward off evil spirits).