8 modern wedding practices which originated from Pagan beliefs… . Ever notice similarities between wedding rituals? Some aspects of today’s wedding traditions actually come from civilizations much older than our own. There are many elements of the modern marriage prototype which harken to ancient history. Some of these traditions seem obvious, and some not. Either way, it seems the symbolism behind many marriage practices are truly as old as love itself. The Engagement Ancient Egyptians may have been the first civilization to practice marriage. In ancient Egypt, most marriages were contractual as well as political. Engagement was created in order to allow the couple time to get to know each other. It was to ensure both were compatible and could actually get along. It also allowed for the would-be groom to gather up everything he needed for a proper wedding dowry to the bride’s parents. The Wedding Ring There are many suspected origins of how the wedding ring came to be, but most agree the Egyptians have this claim as well. Instead of being made from precious metals, the first rings were originally braided from twisted reeds and rushes, which grew alongside papyrus. No matter what the rings are made out of, the symbolic nature remains the same. The circle symbolizes eternity, therefore, wedding ringswere the symbol of ‘eternal love’. The Ring Finger Palmistry’s history goes back to Aristotle and the ancient Greeks. It is an ancient science inspired by alchemy, astronomy and magick. In palmistry, the ring finger relates to matters of the heart and is ruled by the god Apollo. It was once thought a large vein passed from the third finger straight to this mighty organ, kind of like an internal power cord. The left hand being slightly closer than the right, made it the most direct route to the heart. The center of emotion, love, family, and caring. Tying the Knot Phrased with “getting hitched” and “legally bound”, “tying the knot” is attributed to the traditional pagan custom of handfasting. Various cultures, including Greek, Celtic, Buddhist, Hindu, and African, used the method of tying hands to symbolize the joining of a married couple. The saying has survived, even though actually tying the hands of the groom and bride is left out of the modern ceremony. The Bridal Bouquet The beautiful flowers carried by a bride down the isle started off as fragrant herbs woven in the bride’s hair. This careful garland was picked, not for its beauty, but for each of the herb’s special qualities. The ancient Greeks assigned each of the fragrant herbs to protect the bride and bring good luck to the new life she was embarking upon. Throwing Rice Originally it was a common pagan rite for grains and oats to be tossed over couples in hopes their fruitfulness and fertility would shower the new couple with good luck in having many healthy children. In the middle ages, the grains and oats were replaced with rice, the new symbol of fruitfulness among the people. The Wedding Kiss In ancient times, a kiss was a legal and binding contract. Often used both in pagan rituals and legal dealings, it also became a binding act in marriage vows. So powerful was the act of a single kiss, the ancient Romans held it as binding law. Although it is not certain when the first marriage kiss was given, it is still seen as the last act which makes the wedding official in ceremony. The Honeymoon There are a few persistent legends of why and how the honeymoon evolved. One of which is from Ancient Babylon where it was customary for marriages to only take place on a full moon. After the ceremony was over, the couple would drink a honey-based mead for a complete lunar month after a marriage, evolving into the honeymoon.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 22:57:51 +0000
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