Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-05-17
WEDDING OMENS.
Some of the Old SuperstitiOns which
Prevail Regarding Marriages.

Some of the Old Superstitions which
Prevail Regarding Marriages.
Since marriage became an institution
there have been certain signs or super
stitions that have chung to its celebra-
ton through all ages and in all coun-
tries. Even to-day in the most civil
lized nations we have not entirely rid
our minds of these superstitions, and I
warrant there is never bride but in
dulges herself in looking for some hap
Ply omen. Few people are dauntlesss
enough to be married On Friday, and
we all have the most unlimited conf
dence in that old shoe thrown after the
newly-wedded pair. Nearly every
bride Of to-day wears upon her when
she is married some trihing thing Dor
rowed from a lady friend, and all know
that "Blest is the bride on whom the
sun doth shine," and are equally GER
taiu that,
"To change the name and not the letter
Is change for the worse and not for the better.
So on, quite indefinitely, it is wonoer
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
are the fewest people who are more or
less affected by them. But let us recall
a few of the olden beliefs concerning
marriage institutions.
In the earliest weddings we read of
among the Jews we find that the fourth
day of the week was considered the I'M
lucky day for virgins to we'd, and the
fifth for widows. The Romans also be-
Geved that certain days were un-
favorable for the performance of mar
riage rites, and these were the Calends'
Nones and ideas of every pionth; the
whole months of February and May,
and many of their festivals. June was
considered the most propituous month
of the year for matrimony, especially is
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 adverse to happy households,
and for centuries this superstition
seemed to prevail in Italy against May
marriages, and even to this day prevails
in some parts of England and our own
country In China marriages are pos
itively prohibited at certain times and
seasons, onaccount of their being I'M
lucky.
There was at one time a superstition
current in England against marrying on
Innocent Day, the 2Sth of December,
day of i'll omen, because it was the
one which concentrated HerOds
massacre of the children. And it is
still thought unlucky to marry in Lent,
" Marry in Lent and you'll live to re-
pent." An old line also says, "May
never was We month of love-" and
another, "Who marries between We
sickle and We scythe will never thrive"
The old rhyme that we have all heard
tells us to marry on
monday for wealth,
Tuesday for health,
Wednesday the best day of of all +!
Thursday for crosses,
Friday for loses,
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 would be cele-
brated without an augury being first
consulted.
In middle ages it was considered an
ill-omen if the bridal party, in going to
the church met a monk, priest, hare,
dog, cat, lizard or serpent; while all
would 60 we'll if wolf, toad Or spider
were encountered.
1t is lucky if the initials of a welded
couple spell a word.
In the South of England it is said to
be unlucky for a bride to look in a
glass after she is completely dressed be-
fore she goes to the church; so a glove
or some other article is put on after a
last look has been taken at the mirror.
Gray horses at a wedding are lucky.
It is supposed to be unlucky if wife
does not weep onher wedding day. In
Scotland it is considered an unhappy
omen if couple are disappointed in
getting married on the day first fixed
for the purpose.
In the Isle of Man it is believed that
it insures good luck to carry salt In the
pocket of the couple going to be mar
ried. At Hull it is considered unlucky
to go in at one door and out at another
when person gets married.
Whoever goes to sleep first on the
wedding night will die first.
If there is an odd number of gu ests
at the wedding, one is sure to die with
in the succeeding twelve months.
An Archaeological Survey of India.