The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-09-22
Marriage Superstitions.

Since marriage became an Institution
there have been certain Signs and supersti-
tions that have clung to its celebration
through all ages and in all counties. Even
to day, in the most civilized nations, we
have not entirely rid our minds of these SUI
perstitions, and l warrant there Is never a
bride but indulges herself in looking for
some happy women. Few people are daunt-
less enough to be married on Friday, and
we all have the most unlimited confidence
in that old shoe thrown after the newly we'd
ded pair. Nearly,every bride of to-day
wears about her when she is married some
triflng thing borrowed from lady friend,
and al! know that 'Blest is the bride on
whom the sun doth shine and are equally
certain that
"To change the name and not the letter
Is change for the worse, ana not for the better"
So on, quite indefinitely, it is wonder fu]
how these ancient signs are handed down
from generation to generation, and how i'm.
potent reason is to do away with thoir hold
upon the human mind. Say what you will
we are naturally given to superstitious fears,
and there are the fewest people who are not
more or less affected by them. But let us
recall few ofthe olden beliefs concerning
marriage superstitions.
In the earliest weddings we read of among
the Jews, we find that the fourth day of the
week was considered m unlucky day for
virgins to wed, and the fifth for widows
The Romans also believed that certain days
were unfavorable 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
most propitious month of the year for ma t.
rimony; especially if the day chosen were
that of the full moon or the conjunction OF
the sun and moon.
The month of May was especially to bt
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 tc
this day prevails in some parts OF England
and our own country. In China marriage:
are positively prohibited at certain times anC
| seasons, on account of their being unlucky.
There was at one time superstition cur
| rent in England against marrying on limo
| cent? Day, the 2Sth of December, day o
| ill omen, because it was the one which com
memorated Herod's 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 wa
ye month of love- and another, who mar
ries between ye sickle and ye scythe will
ever strive The old rhyme that we hav
all heard tells us to marry on
| ''Monday for wealth,
| Tuesday for health,
| Wednesday for the best day of all,
| Thursday for crosses,
| Friday for lesses,
| Saturday no luck at ALL"
At one time it was thought that all thos
who married on Tuesdays and Thursday
would be happy. Among the Romans n
marriage was celebrated with out an augu
being first consulted. ...
In the middle ages it was considered a
ill omen If the bridal party, in going to tn,
church, met monk, priest, hare, dog, Cal
lizard or serpent; while all would go we'll
u wolf, spider or toad were encountered.
1t is lucky if the initials of welded cou
pie spell word. .F..T ... ....s.
In the south of England it is said to b
unlucky for bride to look in the glass al
ter she is completely dressed before sh
goes to the church, so glove or SOME othel
article is put on after the last look has beer
taken at the mirror. Gray horses at wed
ding are lucky. 1t is supposed to be un
lucky if wife does not weep on her day
In Scotland it is considered an unhapp
omen if couple are disappointed in gettin
married on the day first fixed for the pul
pose. .a #u..# I'll. .-.- ..
In the Isle of Man it is believed that
insures good luck to carry salt In the pocke
when going to be married. In Hull it
considered unlucky to go in at one doc
and go out at another when person gel
married.
Whoever goes to sleep first ON the weddin
night will die first.
Ifthereis an odd number of guests at
wedding, one is sure to die within the SUE
ceeding twelve m onths. '