Traditions of Brides of Different Nationalities
19 December, 2022In various countries of the world, the bride, on the most important day of her life, expects a peculiar, interesting wedding tradition.
Bride traditions of Brazil, Austria, China and Japan
In Brazil, according to tradition, the bride writes the names of her single bridesmaids on the lining of her wedding dress.
This is done so that the girls will meet their love as soon as possible. A similar custom also exists among the Greeks. Only they have a list of lonely maidens decorate the soles of the bride’s wedding shoes.
Based on the Austrian custom, on the day of the wedding celebration the bride should wake up as early as possible. In Salzkammergut, Tyrol and Styria, most people adhere to the ancestral tradition of scaring away evil spirits on the eve of the wedding. The bride-to-be is awakened early in the morning by the sounds of fireworks and gunfire.
In China, an interesting custom is followed by the Tujia ethnic group. According to the tradition dating back to the XVII century, the bride – a representative of the aforementioned people, a month before the wedding begins to cry. In doing so, she shows her gratitude to her parents.
The bride’s weeping demonstrates that she does not want to leave the house where she was born and brought up. She is also joined later by her female relatives: her mother, grandmothers, sisters and aunts. This custom is a wonderful occasion for the whole family to gather together.
In Japan, an ancient wedding tradition called san-san kudo has been observed for four hundred years. The bride and groom do not exchange vows at the wedding ceremony. In the Land of the Rising Sun, the future husband and wife as well as the parents drink sake three times from three cups of different sizes.
The first time they drink to the unification of families, and the second and third times to love reigning in the new family. They raise a glass to the atmosphere of grace in the home, so that there will be no ignorance and no hatred between lovers.
Marriage traditions of brides in Italy, Ukraine, Mexico, Tunisia and India
It is difficult to imagine an Italian wedding without many wedding superstitions. They also apply to the choice of the date of the celebration. It is considered a bad omen to celebrate on Tuesdays, because it is the day of the god Mars, who is the patron of war. Friday according to the Italians is also considered to be a bad day for the wedding because the weekend before the wedding the evil spirits are activated.
The wedding celebration should not be planned for May and August. Easter and Ferragosto are celebrated in the months mentioned above. The pre-Christmas period and Lent are also excluded from the wedding calendar.
Traditionally, Italian marriages are registered on Sunday. It is believed that young people are blessed to exchange rings on this day.
Wedding traditions in Ukraine vary, depending on the region. They are characterized by originality and uniqueness. Common customs in Ukraine are:
- loaf baking;
- embroidering the loaf;
- redemption of the bride;
- wedding in a church.
A marriage ceremony was necessary to reunite souls and to overcome problems and obstacles in the marriage. To get married, Ukrainian brides had to have the blessing of their parents. After the marriage ceremony, the bride and groom are usually showered with coins and grain, symbolizing a secure and happy life.
At a Ukrainian wedding, the newlyweds are given a piece of loaf to determine the head of the newly wedded family. Lovers are also supposed to put bread in salt, so that they won’t curse and quarrel with each other during their lives together.
In Mexico, before the wedding, the bride and groom’s godparents deal with organizational and financial matters. Thus, they share their experience with the young and pass on wisdom. The godparents cast a “wedding lasso” on the couple in love, symbolizing affection for each other and closeness of souls. It is a large-sized rosary decorated with ribbons and flowers.
In Tunisia, the celebration of the wedding begins six days before the wedding ceremony. In this country there is a tradition of painting the bride’s hands and feet with henna. On the extremities of the girl’s relatives leave intricate patterns, drawings in the form of flowers and butterflies.
In India, on the eve of the wedding, the bride’s married friends gather in her house. They, according to tradition, apply a paste of turmeric, characterized by a bright yellow color, to the girl.
The bright color of the mixture, according to the belief, contributes to good luck in building a strong and happy family. In addition, the composition of the paste has a favorable effect on the bride’s skin, smoothing its tone, making it radiant, supple and smooth.
J4L knows, that girls from different countries – English, Austrian, Mexican, Ukrainian brides and any other nationality have their own unique personality. It is necessary to take into account not only traditions, but also personal preferences of your chosen one.
Only by getting to know her from different sides, will it be possible to build a long and happy union.
Wedding traditions of brides from England and America
In England and America there is a very interesting wedding custom – the bride must necessarily wear three things – shabby, new, foreign, as well as some element of blue, turquoise color.
An old closet piece symbolizes a connection to family. According to beliefs, it is:
- will bless the child born in the future;
- before the bride will open up a bright future.
A borrowed item, according to superstition, will bring good luck, and the blue one guarantees the fidelity of a life partner. According to tradition, the bride also puts a sixpence coin under her heel, which is supposed to increase wealth and make life in marriage secure.
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