Do you ever wonder where wedding traditions come from? Here are the meanings behind three popular traditions.
Why does the bride wear a veil?
Wearing a wedding veil symbolizes the bride’s modesty, youth and virginity, and the tradition has its origins in folklore and mythology. When Ishtar, the Goddess of Love, came to meet her betrothed, the vapours of the sea and earth were said to ‘cover her like a veil’.
In arranged marriages, the veil is worn to protect the bride until the couple are committed to each other by marriage, and it has also been used to protect the bride from evil spirits on her wedding day.
With the invention of sheer fabrics in the 19th century, the veil was used to softly enhance the bride’s beauty and to create a romantic scene when the groom kissed the bride.
Why does the bride stand to the left of the groom at the ceremony?
This Christian custom has its origins in the days when the groom had to kidnap the bride to marry her. By standing the bride on his left, the groom was able to keep his right hand free to use his sword. Thus, the groom would be able to fight off any other man desiring the bride for themselves.
Why are flowers such an important part of a wedding?
The tradition of carrying a bouquet is mainly superstitious. The Greeks and Romans carried pungent bouquets of herbs and garlic as the strong smells were supposed to keep away evil spirits. Roman brides and grooms also wore floral garlands that signified new life and fertility.
In Victorian times, each flower was given a specific meaning and conveyed a message, for example, white camellias for loveliness, ivy for fidelity, white roses for innocent love and jasmine for happiness.
While some brides still follow this tradition, most brides today simply see flowers as a lovely and fragrant way to beautify their wedding day.
Thu, Jul 29, 2010
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