Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/70

 MARRIAGE S-? eo^asTEX-Z, Why Brides Wear Orange-blossom— The Origin oE the Bridal Veil— The Meaning of the Wedding Cake— Why Rice and Slippers are Thrown— Honeymoon and Honey-wine SjNCEher we(iding-dav is one of the most important ol all days in a girl's life, Jt is interesting to read of the old beliefs and customs associated with it. If the bride-elect is awakened on her wedding morning by the smging of a robin on her window-sill, or near by. she may count herself vvell blessed, for this is regarded by those who are superstitious as a sure omen of joy. Happy also will she be who Sees the swal- lows come to the eaves for the first time that morning, rince they have always been re- garded as sure harbingers of good luck. On the other hand, it is con- sidered unlucky to break anything on one's wedding morn, as this is supposed to show that she will not live in harmony with her husband's relations. Ol.U-TlME BELIEFS If there is a cat in the house the bride must never omit to feed it her- self on that day, otherwise the crea- ture may think itself neglected, and. out of spite, bring on luch The bride should out op the gloves with her back turned fo the tnnror the ram. were the quaint beliefs dear to the hearts cf our ancestors ' Another prohibition vvas that she must, on no account, read the Marriage Service right through just before her wedding — that is to say, either on the night before, or on the morning of the day. When the important task of dressing the bride commenced in old days, her maids or a1-f-«^nHa nf fri<^nHc GonmVyaA ,^^^t^af■,■,^^■,r 4-K-.-^,,^U the wedding gown ; if by chance a tiny spider were fonnd in one of its folds, it was supposed to indicate that the bride would never lack for money. As to the actual colon is to be worn, the following lines were supposed to fore tell the fate of the maid who chooses any particular one : Married in white, you have chosen all right. Married in green, ashamed to be seen. Married m blue, love ever true. Married in grey, you will go far away. Married m red. you will wish yourself dead. Married in pink, of you he'll aye think. Married in yellow, ashamed of your fellow. Married in black, 3-ou will wish yourself back. Undoubtedly, white and blue are the favourite choice, but the actual symbolism of colours differs from the given lines in one or two instances. Green symbol- ises hope, joy, and youth. Red, courage, and deep love : and violet, dignity and faithfulness. In early days, as, again, at the pre- sent time, white was considered the colour for a bride : but from the Middle Ages to the latter part of ^ ^' J. the seventeenth ^ * century, its su- ^-""^ premacy was dis- puted by yellow, crimson, and pink. Mary Stuart was married in white and blue, in accordance with an old custom which decreed that any girl bearing the name of Mary should wear blue — the colour sacred to the Virgin Mary. An old superstition forbids a bride to allow the groom to see her in her wedding