The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-11-30
Ancient Marriage Superstitions.


there have been certain signs and super
stitions, that have clung to its celebra-
ton through all ages and in all countries.
Even to-day, in the most civilized ma
tions, ne have not entirely rid our minds
of these supetstitions, and warrant there
is never bride but indulges herself in
looking for some happy omen: Few
people are dauntless enough to be mar
ried on Friday, and we all have the most
unlimited confidence in that old shoe
thrown after newly welded pair. Nearly
every bride of to day wears about her
when she is married some trifling thing
borrowed from lady friend, and all
know that "blest is the bride on whom
the sun doth shine," and are equally GER
tain that
ITO change the nanic and not the letter ,
Is change for the worse and not for the better"
So on, quite indefinitely, it is wonder.
full how these ancient signs are handed
down from generation to generation, and
how impotent reason is to do away with
their hold upon the human mind. Say
what you will, we are naturally given to
superstitious fears, and there arc the few
est people who are not more or less affec-
ted by them. But let us recall few of
the olden beliefs concerning marriage
superstitions.
In the earlier weddings we read of
among the Jews, we find that the fourth
day Of the week was considered m un-
lucky day for virgins to wed, and the
fifth day for widows. The Romans also
believed that certain days were unfavora-
BILE for the performance of marriage rites,
and these were the Kalends, Nones and
Ides of every month, the whole months
of February and May, and many of their
festivals. June was considered the most
propitious month of the year for matri-
mony, especially if the day chosen were
that of full moon, or the conjunction OF
the sun and moon.
The month Of May was especially to
be avoided, as it was under the influence
of spirits averse to happy households,
and for centuries this superstition seemed
TO prevail in Italy against May marriages,
and even to this day it prevails in some
parts of England and our own country.
In China marriages are positively pro-
hibited in certain times and seasons, on
account of their being unlucky.
There was at one time superstition
current in England against marrying OH
Innocent's Day, the 2Sth OF December,
day of ill-omen, because it was the one
which commemorated Herod's massacre
of the children. And it is still thought
unlucky to marry in Lent. "Marry in
Lent and you'll live to repent" An old
line also says, "May never was month
of love-" and another, "Who marries be-
tween we sickle and ye scythe will never
strive" The old rhyme that we have all
heard tells us to marry on
Monday for wealth,
Tuesday for health,
WEDNESDAY the best day of all;
Thursday for crosses,
| Friday for losses,
| Saturday no luck at ALL"
At one time it was thought that all
those who married on Tuesdays and
Thursdays would be happy. Among the
Romans, no marriage was celebrated
without an augur being first consulted.
In the middle ages it was considered an
ill-omen if the bridal party in going to
church, met a monk, priest, dog, goat,
lizard or serpent; while all would go
we'll if a wolf, spider or toad were en-
countered.
1t is lucky if the initials OF a welded
couple spell word
In the south of England it is said to be
unlucky for bride to look in the glass
after she is completely dressed before she
goes to church, so glove or some other
article is put on after the last look has
been taken in the mirror. Gray horses
at wedding are lucky. 1t is supposed
to be unlucky if a wife does not weep on
her wedding day. In Scotland it is con-
sidered an unhappy omen if a couple are
disappointed in getting married on the
day first fixed for the purpose.
| In the Isle of Man it is believed that 1t
insures good luck to carry salt in the
pocket when going to be married: In
Hull it is considered unlucky to go in at
one door and go out at another when
person gets married.
Whoever goes to sleep first on thewed-
ding night dies first. !:
If there is an odd number of guests at
a wedding, one is sure to die within the
succeeding twelve months.
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