Since marriage is usually regarded as the chief event of life, for
a woman at least, and as most women are highly superstitious, it is
not surprising to find that every detail surrounding the auspicious
occasion is enveloped in a web of legendary lore.
_THE BRIDAL WREATH._--In ancient times in England bride and bridegroom
alike wore wreaths conserved specially for their use in church, and
in the thirteenth century the bridal chaplet frequently consisted of
ears of corn--signifying plenty. Rosemary was considered lucky in
Shakespeare's day. "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance."
_ORANGE BLOSSOM._--These spotless blossoms, which betoken purity and
innocence, and are symbolical of a prosperous life, are supposed to
have been first brought by pilgrims from the Holy Land, and thereby
possess a religious significance.
_THE BRIDE'S VEIL._--This was originally a fine piece of cloth held
over the couple during the ceremony. Later on it was only held over
the bride, as it was supposed she was more in need of it than her
bridegroom, and so it became part of her attire. In Ireland the old
custom still prevails of a sprig of mistletoe, or a twig of hawthorn,
being used to keep her veil in place.
_THE WEDDING RING._--Since earliest times the giving or exchanging of
rings cemented any and every contract. Amongst the early Christians,
the thumb and first two fingers typified the Trinity, and the husband
placed the ring on his wife's finger in the threefold Holy name.
Some authorities believed that the third finger of the left hand was
connected by a nerve or artery with the heart, hence its choice for
this purpose.
_THE BRIDE'S CAKE._--This important part of the wedding feast has come
down to us from the Romans, who baked one compounded of flour, salt,
and water, which was partaken of by the bridal pair and their friends
as they witnessed the wedding contract.
_THE BRIDE'S DOWRY._--The phrase "with all my worldly wealth I thee
endow" dates back to primitive times when a man bartered so many head
of cattle for his bride. This money, known as "dow," or "dower," was
originally handed over during the ceremony, and in the course of
centuries the bride's father provided its equivalent either in money or
kind.
Later still the bride herself spun the linen for her portion, and
was not regarded as eligible for wifehood until she had stocked a
chest with her handiwork. The term spinster arose in this way, and
if a girl's marriage was delayed until she was of mature age she
occasionally sold the contents of her linen chest and set aside the
proceeds as her dowry. The box, with a lid which is to be found in
old-fashioned chests and trunks, was destined as a receptacle for money
thus earned and earmarked.
_THE GOING AWAY._--The rice and confetti thrown after the newly-wedded
couple signifies fruitfulness and plenty, and the flowers, usually
roses from which the thorns have been extracted, bestrewing their path
denoted happiness, just as the orange blossom and the myrtle of the
bridal bouquet were emblems of constancy and never-dying love.
_THROWING OLD SHOES._--In Anglo-Saxon marriages the bride's father
presented his daughter's shoe to her bridegroom, who touched her on
the head with it to remind her that he was now her master. Then the
throwing of shoes came to be considered a sign of good luck. "Nowe,
for goode lucke caste an olde shoe after mee." The custom, too, is
symbolical of the parting of the new life from the old, or of shaking
the dust of a place from one's feet and severing all connection with it.
_A TEAR HANDKERCHIEF._--In some parts of the Tyrol a beautiful old
custom is still observed. When the bride is starting for the church,
her mother gives her a fine handkerchief, woven for the purpose of
the best linen possible. This is called the "Tear-Kerchief," and with
it the girl is supposed to dry the tears she will naturally shed on
leaving home.
After the marriage-day the "Tear-Kerchief" is folded up carefully and
laid in the linen closet, where it remains till its owner's death; then
it is taken out and spread over her face.