White lassos? White gloves? White knots? Veils? The word wedding itself? What do they all have in common? They're all symbols of a wedding ritual somewhere in the world.
American brides, of course, traditionally wear white dresses, white gloves and a white veil, all of which symbolize purity and a blank slate, a surface on which the couple can mark their own future.
The wedding day is always seen as a starting point, regardless of previous relationships etc.
Legend has it that white gloves became a symbol not only of the bride's purity from mundane, trivial things such as work in the marketplace, they were also a sign of sexual purity.
If her gloves were white, the bride likely didn't soil them with mere household or career tasks, thus she was perceived to be kept free from outside influences.
Also, her white gloves distinguished the bride from other colored gloves, notably the green sleeves that were de rigeur apparel for prostitutes in parts of the British Empire.
In Mexican weddings, the groom places a white ribbon, or white lasso around the neck of his new bride, and then around his own to symbolize their new connection.
The mandatory Pinata, often constructed of white papier mache' is then produced at Mexican wedding receptions.
White knots are now appearing in our culture as symbols of marriage equality for everyone.
The organization whiteknot.
org offers all manner of helpful tips on how to acquire these knots, tie them, distribute them, and even how to organize and conduct your own neighborhood white knot tying party.
The motto of the organization is 'Everyone should be allowed to tie the knot'.
Various other wedding traditions across the world have their roots in the ancient approaches to marriage.
Barter and bride price were common in many parts of the western world for centuries.
Indeed, the wedding veil is still in common use, and its symbolism isn't hard to guess.
In some parts of the world, men sought to add to their property holdings by using their daughters as tender.
Depending on the young woman's physical attributes, her father may not always have wished for her to be seen prior to closing the transaction.
But tradition held that the young man couldn't see his bride until the deal was sealed, then he lifted the veil to see his life-long companion, and, regardless of his reaction, she was his.
There's an incredibly tender love story in that scenario, and I can't wait to write it.
A note on this item: the word wedding itself has its root in similar words for trade and gamble.
Why shoes on the wedding couple's getaway car? It's believed that in ancient times, shoes, or likely sandals, were an item of barter.
It would make sense, then, that shoes would be exchanged at weddings.
And they were, even being thrown at the bride and groom in certain times and places.
It seems that somewhat unsafe practice has been replaced by throwing white rice, with the shoes being attached to bumpers instead.
As for the tradition of sacramental marriage, the Catholic Church, as an example, didn't make marriage a sacrament, or refer to the rite as holy matrimony, for several hundred years after its founding.
Many Christian denominations, such as the Episcopal Church, still don't count marriage among the sacraments.
The current controversy over same-sex marriage, then takes on a whole new meaning in light of many religious organizations' claim that such unions are a-religious, and counter to biblical tradition.
Since the various states are, in fact, the endorser of record for marriages, it would seem that religious marriage is not the tradition, but the occasion for ritual, and an additional celebratory exercise for the happy couple.
It's equally likely that marriage itself is in the process of being redefined, and reinvigorated once again because of this new understanding.
Plus, there is this: All this discussion of tradition, and the wearing of white dresses, gloves, knots etc.
comes with a caveat: in older times the color white was not always a symbol of purity, but of happiness and joy.
Also, in Eastern cultures, white is a common symbol of death and oblivion.
In Japan, for instance, white is commonly worn at funerals.
Obviously we need to be aware of what our traditions mean, and celebrate them accordingly.
American brides, of course, traditionally wear white dresses, white gloves and a white veil, all of which symbolize purity and a blank slate, a surface on which the couple can mark their own future.
The wedding day is always seen as a starting point, regardless of previous relationships etc.
Legend has it that white gloves became a symbol not only of the bride's purity from mundane, trivial things such as work in the marketplace, they were also a sign of sexual purity.
If her gloves were white, the bride likely didn't soil them with mere household or career tasks, thus she was perceived to be kept free from outside influences.
Also, her white gloves distinguished the bride from other colored gloves, notably the green sleeves that were de rigeur apparel for prostitutes in parts of the British Empire.
In Mexican weddings, the groom places a white ribbon, or white lasso around the neck of his new bride, and then around his own to symbolize their new connection.
The mandatory Pinata, often constructed of white papier mache' is then produced at Mexican wedding receptions.
White knots are now appearing in our culture as symbols of marriage equality for everyone.
The organization whiteknot.
org offers all manner of helpful tips on how to acquire these knots, tie them, distribute them, and even how to organize and conduct your own neighborhood white knot tying party.
The motto of the organization is 'Everyone should be allowed to tie the knot'.
Various other wedding traditions across the world have their roots in the ancient approaches to marriage.
Barter and bride price were common in many parts of the western world for centuries.
Indeed, the wedding veil is still in common use, and its symbolism isn't hard to guess.
In some parts of the world, men sought to add to their property holdings by using their daughters as tender.
Depending on the young woman's physical attributes, her father may not always have wished for her to be seen prior to closing the transaction.
But tradition held that the young man couldn't see his bride until the deal was sealed, then he lifted the veil to see his life-long companion, and, regardless of his reaction, she was his.
There's an incredibly tender love story in that scenario, and I can't wait to write it.
A note on this item: the word wedding itself has its root in similar words for trade and gamble.
Why shoes on the wedding couple's getaway car? It's believed that in ancient times, shoes, or likely sandals, were an item of barter.
It would make sense, then, that shoes would be exchanged at weddings.
And they were, even being thrown at the bride and groom in certain times and places.
It seems that somewhat unsafe practice has been replaced by throwing white rice, with the shoes being attached to bumpers instead.
As for the tradition of sacramental marriage, the Catholic Church, as an example, didn't make marriage a sacrament, or refer to the rite as holy matrimony, for several hundred years after its founding.
Many Christian denominations, such as the Episcopal Church, still don't count marriage among the sacraments.
The current controversy over same-sex marriage, then takes on a whole new meaning in light of many religious organizations' claim that such unions are a-religious, and counter to biblical tradition.
Since the various states are, in fact, the endorser of record for marriages, it would seem that religious marriage is not the tradition, but the occasion for ritual, and an additional celebratory exercise for the happy couple.
It's equally likely that marriage itself is in the process of being redefined, and reinvigorated once again because of this new understanding.
Plus, there is this: All this discussion of tradition, and the wearing of white dresses, gloves, knots etc.
comes with a caveat: in older times the color white was not always a symbol of purity, but of happiness and joy.
Also, in Eastern cultures, white is a common symbol of death and oblivion.
In Japan, for instance, white is commonly worn at funerals.
Obviously we need to be aware of what our traditions mean, and celebrate them accordingly.