WEDDING PHRASES

Posted by ESC on October 16, 2003

In Reply to: WEDDING PHRASES posted by LUCILLE on October 16, 2003

: CAN YOU HELP ME FIND THE MEANING AND THE ORIGIN OF THE PHRASE "SOMETHING OLD SOMETHING NEW SOMETHING BORROWED SOMETHING BLUE" AND IF THERE IS ANYMORE TO THIS PHRASE THANKS LP

From the archives:

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW ...

: Something old, something new
: Something borrowed, something blue
: And a silver sixpence in your shoe

: The rhyme originated in Victorian times although some of customs referred in it are much older.

: "Something old" represents the couple's friends who will hopefully remain close during the marriage. Traditionally this was old garter which given to the bride by a happily married woman in the hope that her happiness in marriage would be passed on to the new bride.

: "Something new" symbolizes the newlyweds' happy and prosperous future.

: "Something borrowed" is often lent by the bride's family and is an item much valued by the family. The bride must return the item to ensure good luck.

: The custom of the bride wearing "something blue" originated in ancient Israel where the bride wore a blue ribbon in her hair to represent fidelity.

: The placing of a silver sixpence in the bride's shoe was to ensure wealth in the couples married life. Today some brides substitute a penny in their shoe during the ceremony as silver sixpences are less common.

: From U.S. Bridal Guide online :
: Something Old: Continuity
: Something New: Optimism and Hope
: Something Borrowed: Happiness shared from happily married couple
: Something Blue: Fidelity, Love, Purity
: Lucky Sixpence For Her Shoe: Ensures a Life of Fortune

PS. Here's a little more on the "something blue" part. Guys had to wear blue also. That's a nice touch.

www.aomdj.com/ traditio.htm In continuing with the discussion of the white wedding dress, it should be noted that - in Biblical days - blue represented purity. Thus the bride and groom would wear a blue band around the bottom of their wedding attire, hence something blue.

WEDDING PHRASES Lewis 17/October/03