From Rain on your wedding day – to seeing the bride before the big day. We have put together some of our favourite wedding traditions. And most bizarre superstitions and myths surrounding the wedding.
The earliest examples of wedding rings have been found in Egypt, dating back to 6,000 years ago. The wedding rings of this time were made of reeds or hemp – braided into a loop.
The following table highlights the most popular and well-known superstitions, elaborated on through our post.
| Wedding Superstition | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Seeing the Bride Before the Ceremony | Bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. |
| “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue” | Bringing good luck to the bride with symbolic items. |
| Throwing Rice or Confetti | Symbolizes fertility and prosperity for the newlyweds. |
| Carrying the Bride Over the Threshold | Protecting the bride from evil spirits. |
| Breaking a Glass | Wards off evil spirits and symbolizes the fragility of relationships. |
| Hiding the Bride’s Shoes | Bridesmaids playfully steal shoes, and the groom must retrieve them. |
| Rain on the Wedding Day | Considered a sign of good luck and fertility in some cultures. |
| Counting the Days | Avoiding certain days or months for fear of bad luck in marriage. |
| Seeing a Spider | Finding a spider in a wedding dress symbolizes good luck and creativity. |
| Ring Dropping During the Ceremony | Considered bad luck; precautions taken to secure the rings. |
Itchy left palm myth
Starting with the wedding myth what does it mean when your left-hand itches? More than one myth surrounds the itchy left palm.
Firstly, it can mean that extreme wealth may be on it’s way to you. The superstition transformed from rubbing silver on the skin to the belief that when someone had an itch, it would mean you will come into some silver, money, soon.
Secondly, and more relevant, spiritually, an itchy left palm means that you just entered a new romantic relationship – you are going to find love soon.
Can a wedding ring determine the gender of your unborn child?
Probably the most bizarre myth this old wives tale suggests that if you tie some thread to a yellow gold wedding ring and dangle it over your bump, it’s thought to determine the sex of your unborn child.
If the ring swings back and forth, your baby will be a boy, and if it swings around in a circle, then it is a girl.
The ring finger
Why is the third finger on your left hand the ring finger? Perhaps this started from myth. But now belongs to tradition. Some sources emphasized the Vena amoris vein running from this ring finger the heart. This topic we covered in greater detail within our guidance page on which hand to wear an engagement ring and wedding ring.
The Wedding Cake Myth
This wedding superstition entails a small amount of wedding cake being passed through the bride’s wedding ring after the ceremony and given to the unmarried bridesmaids to eat – In conclusion, it is said to bring them a husband within a year!
“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe.”
We still see this now, and probably one of the only myths that has become a tradition.
This rhyme originated in England during the Victorian Era and symbolized luck for a bride on her wedding day. At Serendipity, we have the perfect wedding gift for a bride: our something blue pendant
Beautifully styled with a blue Aquamarine, surrounded by a halo of diamonds, engraved on the reverse with a date or personal message.
The Wedding Dress
Finding a spider on your beautiful gown is a good fortune in English folklore. Even though you may want to flick that spider off your dress, please don’t get rid of him too quickly- as it could lead to good luck!
The Veil
Dating back to Roman and Greek times. The bride would wear a veil to ward off the evil spirits who were jealous of her happiness.
Healing Properties
In 19th-century Ireland, rubbing a wedding ring on an injury or sore was believed to help heal it. It was also believed that pricking a wart with a gooseberry thorn through a wedding ring would make the wart disappear. Whereas, in Somerset, they thought that rubbing your wedding ring on sore eyes would remove any infection.
Evil Spirits
It is a tradition for the Bride and Groom, but how did it start? Dating back to Medieval times, the bride is susceptible to evil spirits through the soles of her feet. The groom was to carry the bride into their new home to avoid bad spirits. Therefore making them happily married forever.
Diamonds and engagement rings myths
Engagement rings trace back to Ancient Rome. According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Roman women wore rings of ivory, flint, bone, copper and iron “to signify a business contract or to affirm mutual love and obedience.” Gold rings were later found in the ruins of Pompeii, proving the shiny metal became the material of choice.
Leap year proposals
No blog post about wedding traditions would be complete without mentioning leap-year proposals. A leap year arrives every 4 years, with a tradition of its own. Read more on this fascinating tradition in our dedicated blog post about women proposing to men on a leap year. In this instance, unlike the classic situation of the male grazing of the knee, the woman takes the role of making the proposal.
The truth detector
Do diamonds hold the magical power of detecting honesty? The gem grows dim in the presence of a lie and shines brightly when the truth prevails. We believe this has more to do with the quality of diamonds you choose. Read more about diamond clarity.
Gemstone myth
In addition, the opportunity to supply any gemstone into our designs is available. But what is the superstition behind them?
- Firstly – a Diamond – considered to represent affection. Diamond the symbol of certainty and security that comes with being in a committed relationship.
- Secondly – a Sapphire – believed to bring a happy marriage.
- Thirdly – Aquamarine – also believed to bring a long and happy marriage.
- Emeralds – considered to bring marital bliss, and some cultures believed emeralds have aphrodisiac properties.
- Pearls – traditionally avoided, thought to bring tears and bad luck to a marriage if used as the gemstone on an engagement ring.
About Emily Austin
Emily is one of our dedicated team members. She remains a valued member of our expert team and a part of the Serendipity Diamond family. Emily works on almost every aspect of our shop, from helping customers to updating our social media pages. She also takes care of many of our international deliveries, ensuring they arrive with clients safely as expected. Contact Emily directly by email or chat with her most days online.
