2007-12-18 06:56:42 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
It was believed that if the newly married couple were to drink mead (a honey wine) each evening for the duration of one moon (a lunar month) following the wedding, they were assured a male heir within one year. And, if that did occur, lavish gifts and accolades were bestowed upon the meadmaker (artisans that were highly revered at the time). In other words, the couple drank mead (honey wine) for one month (moon) ... thus the word honeymoon.
2007-12-18 07:07:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It stems from the European tradition of supplying mead (and snacks) for a month after the wedding so the new couple can stay in bed and not have to cook/make beverages.
Mead is made from honey and in Europe, sugar was highly expensive so most snacks were as well.
Also as most cultures used a moon term (lunar calendar) instead of a days to measure time, a "moon" makes more sense than saying a week or a month.
There is also some thought that it was one term of the moon until the love/lust fades. Some thoughts also use the term moon to refer to a woman's cycle. As in the kdinapped bride would be kept hidden until it could be proven she was pregnant and the marriage could not be dissolved.
So basically--optimist or pessimist--take your pick!
2007-12-18 07:05:43 · answer #2 · answered by phantom_of_valkyrie 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The full moon associated with different seasons are given names - such as the harvest moon in the fall.
The honey moon is associated with the abundance of new growth during the summer. It also happened to be the time when most people got married (i.e., June). Thus they were celebrating their honey moon.
2007-12-18 07:01:59 · answer #3 · answered by Prophet 1102 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋