Wedding Traditions: Something old, Something new... Why?
Why Do Brides Do the Things They Do?
Every bride knows that old adage when it comes to "good luck" and what she should wear on her wedding day:
Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe.
So when and how did it originate?
A Victorian Wedding Tradition
The adage, or poem, if you will, obviously originated in Victorian England. It is said that the bride who follows it and carries the specified items on her wedding day, will experience a happy married life.
Let's analyze its parts and their individual meanings:
Something old... By wearing something old, the bride bridges the gap between the past and the future, and honors the two families who are coming together.
Something new... Symbolizes the future, and of looking ahead to the life in front of her, with her future husband.
Something borrowed... This item is only borrowed from a friend or relative who is happily married. Supposedly, this happiness will rub off on the new bride.
Something blue... Blue is a color associated with weddings since Ancient Rome, where the color symbolized weddings. The color blue has also been associated with the Virgin Mary and her goodness.
And a silver sixpence in her shoe... And this is why we know that the poem is English. A sixpence was a silver British coin and worth six pennies. It's no longer minted and therefore, people substitute a copper penny or a dime. For the best "luck", the coin should be placed in the left shoe! It symbolizes prosperity.
Wedding Traditions Are Fun!
It's fun and interesting to know the reasons why "we do the things we do" especially when it comes to weddings.
So for the best luck, brides-to-be, wear Something old, something new Something borrowed, something blue And a silver sixpence in [your] shoe...
Why not? You have nothing to lose but good luck! LOL
