There are a multitude of wedding traditions and ceremonies across the world. They differ not only by country but also by ethnic groups and religion. Two common aspects of all ceremonies across the board is the exchanging of a vow to loyalty, and a gift.
WEDDING CUSTOMS AND RITUALS
Many countries celebrate weddings the same way that’s done here in the US: a white dress for the bride, a black suit for the groom, and the exchange of a wedding band. This tradition is popular around the world throughout cultures much different from the western world. Yet, there are many other ceremonies and practices that have their roots in a nation’s or a tribe’s ancestry, beliefs and lifestyle.
In China a couple exchanges red handkerchiefs with pictures of mandarin ducks – in Chinese culture the ducks represent a long lasting relationship. In India, the ceremony involves the couple each holding the end of a cloth and then walking four times around a sacred book. Interestingly enough, the color white represents death in India, so the bride wears a red wedding gown.
In Japan, the couple drinks wine in front of the priest which is to represent the promise to share their lives with each other. In Korea, western-style marriage precedes a more traditional ceremony during which the couple’s family gives them nuts and money. The nuts mean that they will have children. The money… well, we know what that is for!
In Nepal, the groom puts red colored powder on the bride’s forehead that means that she is married. Here in the U.S. many believe that getting married in June is lucky , hence the tradition of the June bride. And while we all know that even today the unspoken rule is that the man proposes to the woman, did you know that in England they determined that on February 29 women were allowed to propose to men? If you can’t wait for the next February 29 to come around, well you have to nudge your sweetheart some other way!
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THE WEDDING RING
The tradition of a wedding ring dates back to the old Romans and gained popularity during the 19th century. Back then it was common that only the woman wore a wedding ring. And originally, the ring wasn’t so much meant to show love and loyalty, but it showed the bride’s parents that the groom was able to provide for the bride and make sure she would be well taken care of.
Claddagh Ring
But nowadays, in the Western societies, the wedding ring symbolizes love, loyalty and commitment. In other countries wedding rings may have other meanings. For example, in Egypt, the wedding band represents eternity; In Russia, the wedding band consists of three interlinked rings which represent the trinity; in India the bride wears a toe ring on one or both of her big toes, though they must not be made of gold as gold may only be worn on the upper body. In Ireland, the Claddagh ring, consisting of two hands holding a heart, represents love, loyalty and friendship.
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WEDDING JEWELRY FOR MEN
It was likely due to the jewelry industry marketing their product that men started to wear wedding rings as well. And then concept of the engagement ring found popularity. Nowadays wedding ring sets are very popular: they include an engagement ring for the bride-to-be, which is presented at the onset of the betrothal, and is later complemented by the wedding band at the time of the wedding. Nowadays, in the US, about 80% of all couples exchange and wear both engagement rings and wedding bands.
Wedding Set
If you have found the love of your life and are now searching for a wedding band, Landstroms has the most beautiful wedding rings and sets made of Black Hills Gold. All Landstroms jewelry is proudly made in America and each of these rings is made by hand, and in that way unique, as much as your relationship is unique.
Click here for a complete selection of Landstroms hand-crafted wedding jewelry
Check out this video of Landstroms Black Hills Gold Wedding Sets on YouTube!
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