What are he modern symbols of marriage?

Question

In the 15th century a dog in a panting symbolized fidelity a whisk broom represented domestic care and oranges could be a symbol of fertility. What modern symbols could represent marriage in art?

Answer 1

Top of the list is the ring. Within the ring itself there can be symbol hidden within symbol if you know how to interpret them. On the surface they symbolize commitment. But there can be so much more. By being without beginning and without end, they symbolize eternity.

However, EVERYTHING done in a wedding has some historical precedent and symbolizes a plethora of things. It is an amazing language that speaks volumes. The dress, the ring, the flowers, the colours, the foods, the cake; it is almost too much to cover at once! Everything I speak of here is current even though there is a touch of the old for that is the nature of weddings.

The dress is a powerful symbol. In some cultures red is the colour symbolizing the spilling of virginal blood from the deflowering of the bride, but in the West it is white to symbolize virginity. Thank goodness they no longer hang the bloodied sheets out the window to show the world the bride was pure!

Traditional Rhyme

Married in white, you have chosen alright.
Married in green, ashamed to be seen.
Married in red, You will wish yourself dead.
Married in blue, you will always be true
Married in yellow, ashamed of your fellow.
Married in black, you will wish yourself back.
Married in pink, of you he'll think.

There is the garter that is thrown to the bachelors near the tail end of the celebrations.


Traditional Rhyme

Something Old, Something New
Something Borrowed, Something Blue
and a Silver Sixpence for Her Shoe

Then there are other symbols. The word “gem” itself refers to, "something of an exquisite or superior nature." This is a very lovely part of the expression of love. Buying the engagement ring and the wedding rings at the same time is thought to bring bad luck and wearing the wedding ring before the ceremony can bring equally dire consequences. The diamond engagement ring is a medieval Italian tradition, based on their belief that the diamond was created from the flames of love. There is no shortage of diamonds so DeBeers pushes the impression of value through scarcity upon us all. The myth that the diamond is eternal and the only stone for the wedding ring is a sales ploy fabricated by the DeBeers of South Africa to keep business brisk.

There are many gorgeous alternatives to the diamond. Stones speak the ancient language of symbolism, the source of true bonding in jewellery. Diamonds are said to remove blockages and negativity and remind one of ones dedication to spiritual awareness. They also bring fidelity to ones interpersonal relationships. Every culture attaches different significance to the various symbols I speak of. Or they perhaps use different materials entirely. As well, there are so many marvelous gems on the planet that there is something for every taste and budget.

In the past rings were hand crafted and the buyer chose the materials and stones in order to send his beloved a personal message through his choice of stones. Even the cut of the stones carried a message. Garnet was once very popular. They said it activated a willingness to serve others while remaining true to oneself. Assists one in being committed to ones self as well as to others and to the causes that one respects and holds dear. You get the idea. There are as many messages are there are stones.

The quality and colour of the gold is also symbolic. As is the style of the ring. The first Husband of my heart gave me Russian tri-Colour Rolling Ring. There is great significance to the fact that all 3 bands are seamlessly interlocked. Each gold has a different significance as does the number 3. All it meant to me, though, was the man I adored thought enough to marry me and that, in itself, gave it untold value. That is what it symbolized to me.

Then there is the aspect of matching rings. Engagement and wedding rings. Each one is a different symbol in itself. There is symbolism involving the finger it rests on in itself.

I am sure that the same symbolism can be applied to the bouquet and flowers chosen for the occasion. There is a language in flowers as well. We know this is what sells roses at Valentines Day. But if you look beyond the obvious you can find a lot of other beautiful ways to say things. There is a very different message given by a woman who opts for pure wildflowers from the one who prefers black orchids.

For example, you could purchase replicas of Victoria-era wedding rings that include the raised designs of lilies and mums or other flowers. Not only is this design unique, but the flowers you choose for your ring also has significance. This ties in both the language of flowers and the ring.

Check out a few ideas here:

http://www.weddingbokay.com/symbol.html

Another potent symbol is what goes upon the cake. The cake itself is symbolic. It is also symbolic when the newlyweds cut the cake and share the first pieces in front of their guests. It is a symbol for joining of forces and showing the world of your love.

The history of the wedding cake goes back as far as the Roman Empire, well before the concept of elaborately icing a cake, was invented. Through the years, the wedding cake has become the focus of a variety of customs and traditions. Some of these customs have survived through time. Some have not. The custom of breaking the cake over the bride's head is no longer practiced. The tradition may have its roots as far back as the Roman Empire. The groom would eat part of a loaf of barley bread baked especially for the nuptials and break the rest over his bride's head. History tells us that breaking the bread symbolized the breaking of the bride's virginal state and the subsequent dominance of the groom over her. The obvious male chauvinistic bent of this particular tradition probably leads to its early demise.

When I was a child we all got pieces of the cake to take home. The notion of sleeping with a piece of cake underneath one's pillow dates back as far as the 17th century and quite probably forms the basis for today's tradition of giving cake as a "gift." Legend has it that sleepers will dream of their future spouses if a piece of wedding cake is under their pillow. It never worked for me.

In the minds of most people, wedding cakes are "supposed to be" white. The symbolism attached to the color white, makes explaining this tradition rather simple. White has always denoted purity, like the bride, a virgin. This not only highlighted the bride as the central figure of the wedding, but also created a visual link between the bride and the cake. Today, that link is being further strengthened as more contemporary brides have their wedding cakes coordinated with their wedding gown color, even if it's not white!

Wedding cakes take center stage in the traditional cake cutting ceremony, symbolically the first task that bride and groom perform jointly as husband and wife. The first piece of cake is cut by the bride with the "help" of the groom. This task originally was delegated exclusively to the bride. Presumably the consumption of such pieces ensured fertility. After the cake cutting ceremony, the couple proceeds to feed one other from the first slice. This provides another lovely piece of symbolism, the mutual commitment of bride and groom to provide for one another.

There is hardly a bride today who can't resist saving the top layer of her multi-tiered cake. Most couples freeze the cake with the intention of sharing it on their first wedding anniversary. The tradition has its roots in the late 19th century when grand cakes were baked for christenings. It was assumed that the christening would occur soon after the wedding ceremony, so the two ceremonies were often linked, as were the cakes

There is even symbolism that is used by many to determine when is best to marry.

Traditional Rhyme

Marry when the year is new, always loving, always true,
When February Birds do mate, you may wed or dread your fate
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know
Marry in April when you can, joy for maiden and for man,
Marry in the month of May, you will surely rue the day,
Marry when June roses blow, over land and sea you'll go,
They who in July do wed, must labour always for their bread,
Whoever wed in August be, many a change are sure to see,
Marry in September's shine, your living will be rich and fine,
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry,
If you wed in bleak November, only Joy will, remember,
When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last.

Anyhow you get the idea. I never did get around to the tossing of the bouquet or the eating of foods that symbolize fertility, beyond the cake itself.

However, I have had pagan friends who just went into a place in the wilds with a group of friends and family and jumped the broom together after saying a few words. Then their wrists were bonded together by use of ribbon to symbolism. This is still modern and a lot less costly!

Gosh, Did I just write all this?

Answer 2

The ring symbolizes eternal love (circle is never broken)

Answer 3

Possibly a egg cowrie shell? They mean the same as those oranges.

Answer 4

The color white, doves, and rings are commonly associated with marriage.

Answer 5

Sadly, a prenuptial agreement.