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No matter the Country, custom, or culture the one right of passage that all people of the earth embrace is marriage. The most universal of institutions, the ceremony itself has taken on a myriad of traditions and norms depending on what part of this planet you call home. We have compiled some of the traditions of the "old country" be it Korea or Kenya that you may wish to adopt for your own ceremony. African American The tradition of jumping the broom is distinctly American but has it's roots in African symbolism. The broom has long signified the "sweeping" out of the old and the "sweeping" in of the new. For this reason, African slaves used jumping the broom to signify marriage amongst themselves as this basic human right was denied to them by their owners. Slaves were discouraged from forming pair bonds because of the strength that is associated with the family structure. Often times couples were purposely separated to help the owners maintain the "Status Quo". Native American Color was often used in the symbolism of Native American peoples. For this reason the four colors used in the brides wedding dress signified the directions of the earth: White/East, Yellow/West, Blue/South, Black/North. Bringing the four colors together was thought to imbue the new bride with the strength of the earth mother, from which all life flowed. A mixture of white and yellow corn was also shared by the bride and groom to signify the union of the two, the white represented man and the yellow woman. Amish Simplicity is the order of the day for these people know as the "plain folk". The ceremony itself usually takes place after the harvest so that all in the community may attend. It was also done then so that the men would be free to assist the new bride groom in building his residence, usually on a piece of land supplied by his father. The bride would wear a dress that was new but as is typical in this culture, unadorned and simple enough to be worn as her Sunday church dress. From childhood, the bride works on her dowry items that she can bring to the marriage. Typically she provides two quilts and the other linens and candles that she will need to set up the couples home. Arabian Even though the couple are uniting, segregation is imposed for the actual ceremony. The bride adorned and veiled in her wedding finery is kept with the women, while the groom recites the wedding agreement in the company of her male relatives. Often, the couple involved in these arranged marriages meet for the first time when she is unveiled by her groom on their wedding night. Chinese As red is the color to symbolize happiness in Chinese tradition, the brides gown is always this color. The actual uniting of the couple is a very small part of the ceremony as paying respect to their parents is given priority. Lighting firecrackers after the union is complete was thought to have originated as a way of expelling any unlucky omens that may prey on the new couple. Traditionally, money wrapped in red paper is the gift of choice at a Chinese ceremony bringing together the guests wishes that the couple may experience both happiness and prosperity throughout their marriage. Czech Prior to the nuptials the couple is chaperoned and guided by their "sparoza", or male marriage broker or sponsor. He also plays a large part in the wedding ceremony offering advice and instruction important to the success of the union. Prior to the ceremony, local women place an infant on the wedding bed of the couple to encourage fertility to the couple and this is furthered by pinning sprigs of rosemary on the bride, long regarded as an aid to fertility. Immediately after the ceremony, the elder women remove the brides veil and replace it with a "matrons bonnet" denoting her new status. English Many of the traditions practiced at North American weddings have their roots in British wedding culture. Having a flower girl strew petals along the brides path was a gesture to ensure that the new couple would walk a happy path in their marriage. A sixpence was often placed in the brides shoe to promote prosperity for the couple. Fruit cake was used as the traditional wedding cake because "the fruits of the earth" were thought to encourage fertility, and for this reason the top layer was referred to as the christening cake that would be saved until the union produced the first child. Filipino Prior to her wedding a bride from the Philippines will construct an elaborate "cage" made of flowers. Prior to the ceremony the groom will insert two white doves that the couple will release together as a symbol of their unity. The custom of pinning the bride with money has become an art form at Filipino weddings. The front of her gown is reserved for her family and friends, and the back for the grooms. This encourages a bit of rivalry between the two and the couples can usually aquire a sizable nest egg to start them off on married life. France The "chalice du marriage" is passed down for generations in the brides family, it is a single cup with two handles that the couple will drink their toasts from during the wedding. Much to the couples dismay, it is still a popular custom to interrupt the couple on their wedding night. Relatives and friends sing outside the couples window until they are "bribed" off by refreshments that the groom must have on hand. Greece The "kaslamantiano" or traditional good luck dance is done at most Greek weddings by the male guests. D uring the ceremony the bride and groom are "crowned" to symbolize the fact that they are now king and queen of their own household. At a Greek orthodox ceremony, instead of reciting vows, the couple joined by a wedding shawl walk three times around the altar to finalize their union. Indian To symbolize her new status, a month prior to the wedding the bride's handsfeet are ornately painted with a henna dye. For the month that it takes to fade, all arereminded of her new status exempting her from the drudgery of manual labor. Flower petals are strewn throughout the wedding prayers as an offering to the Gods so that the couple may be blessed with both children and prosperity. Irish The "claddagh" ring is the traditional Irish wedding band. Formatted as a heartheld by two hands with a crown above it to denote that the union is crowned with love. Folklore has it that the ring came into being after a young man was kidnapped on the on the eve of his wedding. On his return, years later he was so overjoyed that his bride had waited and never married, he created the ring to symbolize his love. Also used as an engagement ring it is custom that the crown is worn facing down until she is married. Italian Bombonieri is a traditional Italian favor presented to guests at an Italian wedding. These candied almonds are meant to represent the bitter and sweet of life that the couple will encounter. In by gone days, after the ceremony, the wedding couple was expected to use a two handed blade to saw through a log. This was done to symbolize the man and women working tn harmony to create a good married life. Japanese In Japan, as in most asian cultures red has come to symbolize happiness and is therefore often used during the ceremony. The bride, adorned in ornate wedding kimono, will show her respect to elders by performing the "tea ceremony" always serving the grooms parents first to acknowledge her new status as their daughter. Kai Fish is often served at Japanese weddings as it is thought to be a symbol of good luck and prosperity for the couple. Jewish Prior to the actual wedding taking place, the Bedeken ceremony is first performed this is a custom where the brides family literally unveil her and present her to the groom and his family in the presence of a Rabbi. Jewish couples recite their vows under a canopy known a huppah. Drawing on the custom of celebrating the wedding outside, the wish for the couple was to have as many future generations as their are stars in the sky, so the huppah has come to represent the heavens and fertility. Stepping on a linen wrapped wine glass at the end of the ceremony to the shouts of Mazol Tov, reminds all of the destruction of the temple and the other hardships that have befallen their faith. This also ties in with the traditional hora dance where the bride and groom are elevated on chairs while each holds the end of a handkerchief, symbolizing the belief that as a unified couple they can overcome together any bitterness that life may offer. Lithuanian Symbolic food offerings are given to the couple during the ceremony to prosperity, fertility and happiness. Bread and salt as a staple that the couple may never be hungry and wine and honey to wish many blessings of happiness. Puerto Rican During the ceremony the rite of "Aras" is conducted as the priest passes a plate of coins to the groom who then in turn passes it to his bride. This denotes both a partnership in all they do and for prosperity throughout the marriage. Special pins called capias are displayed at the reception on a bride doll, for the honor of a dance with the bride all the gentlemen must use the capias to pin money to the bride. Scottish The tradition of the scramble involves the bride and groom strewing coins to the assembled children. It is believed that this will continue to bring good fortune to the couple. Traditionally the groom is attired in a kilt that is either of his own family tartan or that of his brides family. Heather is often carried as a good luck omen by Scottish brides. Vietnamese On the day of the wedding the groom starts a processional from his own home to the home of the bride. Along the way he is joined by both family and friends who become the wedding guests. The only person not joining the parade is the grooms mother who stays behind as a gesture to reassure the bride that she won't remain a rival for her sons affections.  |