Marriage Traditions
Wedding Cakes and Decorations
Wedding cakes originated in Roman times. Slicing the cake together shows the bride and groom’s harmony together and sharing the cake among guests signifies the uniting of the two families as well. Decorations on the cake can be said to have meaning for the newly married couple. Horseshoes stand for good luck, while roses... »
Wedding Adornment in India
One marriage practice that is popular in India is literally adorning the bridal couple with good wishes in the form of garlands of roses and bank notes. Also in India, as well as parts of the Middle East, an important part of the wedding regalia for the bride is henna-painted hands. Intricate patterns are... »
Origins of the Engagement Ring
The impetus for the wedding preparations is an engagement. Offering a ring at the time of an engagement dates back to Roman times. Starting in the 15th century, giving diamond rings became popular and they came to stand for faithfulness. Couples often exchange wedding bands during the marriage ceremony and the circular form of... »
Marriage according to Chinese Folklore
According to Chinese folklore, men and women are destined for each other since birth. It is said newborns’ legs are tied together with invisible threads by the man in the moon and as the children grow older, they are drawn to each other. Source: Bruce-Mitford, Miranda. “The Ilustrated Book of Signs and Symbols,” Dorling Kindersley... »
Traditional Marriage Customs
Marriage rituals involve different customs and practices, but the basic premise of a wedding as a celebration binding a man and woman together holds across cultures. The union of the man and woman represents the joining of two opposites to become complete. Weddings have also been said to symbolize the union of god and... »