Traditions and the concept of repeating actions performed by our ancestors absolutely fascinate me! Why DO we do the things we do? Why wear white? Why not blue or green... Why exchange rings? Why not handkerchiefs? ....
(prHWY.com) June 26, 2012 - Australia, Australia -- Traditions and the concept of repeating actions performed by our ancestors absolutely fascinate me! Why DO we do the things we do? Why wear white? Why not blue or green... Why exchange rings? Why not handkerchiefs? .... And why have do bridesmaids wear the same colour?
All these things and more combine to make up the amazing tradition that is a wedding and I have delved in deep to find the answers to some stubborn questions.
Wedding traditions go back about as far as early civilization records. Although some have altered or been forgotten, for the most part they come from around the world and come from religious or supernatural roots.
The word "bride" comes from old English for the name for "cook," while the word groom comes from "male child."
The term "wedlock" comes from the old English word "wedd" which means "to pledge." "Lock" comes from the old English term "lac," which means to carry out an action. That, in keeping with the original meaning wedlock, which was the pledging of property, as payment for his daughter, to the bride's father.
The tradition of asking for the bride's "hand in marriage" comes from a Roman custom called "joining of hands." In a symbolic purchase, the groom would give the bride's father a coin, and the bride would then be passed from her father's "hand" to her husband's.
Thesedays we don't flip the old man a coin and wisk the fair maiden away, there is another custom at play - the proposal. Why does the man get down on one knee? This goes back to the days of knighthood when it was customary for a knight to dip his knee in a show of servitude to his mistress and master. The knight would kneel before a tournament and wait for "his" lady to toss him her ribbon or colors, as an indication of her favor.
Another possible source for this custom may be connected to the practice in some religions for congregants to kneel (genuflect) during prayers and at other religious ceremonies, like weddings. That interpretation gives proposing a solemn, spiritual connotation with overtones of respect.
And while we are on the subject, the proposal, until recent decades, has been solely a man's duty but there has been a shift and now women can make Leap Year Proposals. This special privilege given to women on the 29th of February dates back hundreds of years to when the leap year day was not recognized in English law. The day was simply "leaped over" and ignored. Hence the expression "leap year." Since the day had no legal status, one could assume that standing traditions could be broken. Many unmarried women took advantage of this glitch in the law by proposing to the man they wished to marry.
Are you looking for an organized, dependable and passionate Marriage Celebrant? I love 'love' and am dedicated to celebrating it, so if you need a vivacious Civil Marriage Celebrant to make sure your ceremony is spot on, look no further. I will certainly bring vibrancy and enthusiasm to your special day!
Check out
http://idocelebrant.com/ now!!
Ph: 0400 207 913
E: michelle@idocelebrant.com
###