The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-08-17
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS.
Description of Their Quaint Significance
and Origin.

1
AS there are many rumors OF
coming marriages in Astoria, 1t may
be well for those interested to read OF
the many customs and superstitions
connected with the very important
event of marriage, handed down from
olden times, while still observed, are
little understood as regards origin, etc.
The word wedding comes from the
the Angle-Saxon- WED. which repre-
sented the securities placed by the
grooms in the hands of trustees, as
dover for the future protection of the
young girl leaving the tender care OF
parents for new and untried life. Tne
amount was in accordance with the IL
nancial circumstances of the groom's
family, and in addition, gift was Ie-
slowed either of jewels or ornaments
of silver or gold.
| A wedding ring in early days was
considered so necessary to make mar
riage vows binding that parties too
Toor to buy 1t, rented 1t for the occa-
sion. Great antiquity surrounds the
little circlet, as Henry Swinburn, in the
seventeenth century, claimed that 1t
was designed by Prometheus, fashioned
from iron and stone by Tubal-Cain,
and given to Adam that with 1t he
might bind unto himself wife" Rings
made from rushes find later mention,
but. alas! must have been too often
| typical of the love-vows they sealed
quickly broken. Silver rings succeeded
them, and some still preserved, are odd
and pretty, with devices Of clasped
hands, arrow-pierced hearts, and in
scribed within little sentiments then,
quantity termed ''posies" Gold soon
became the accepted metal, and the
plain band the universal form of the
marriage ring then as now.
OF Danish origin is the "bridal-fa-
vor," and the 'true-lover's knot" which
has been such craze in ornamentsI
and decorations recently. How sweet
and musical the word "trufola," from
which it comes, meaning, II plight thee
my troth."
The throwing. of the slipper for good
luck undoubtedly came from more
serious and less pleasing ceremony. In
past ages the shoe was an emblem OF
authority and marriage, to woman, TO
sort of slavery. hence the father, in
transferring his rights to the
husband, gave the shoe. Modern
fathers would hesitate to countenance
an alliance that held possibilities of
rule or severity for their indulged. idol
lied daughters.
In the fair hands of Roman brides in
the long ago. were held three heads of
wheat, and centuries later, chaplets Of
grain encircled the brows of English
girls at the altar of Tymen. Showers
of grain and bits of cake afterward
succeeded this custom, ar then thel
brides loaf,' was broken over the
heads of the newly-wedded pair FL
nally. in the eighteenth century, came
the 'wedding-cake." very much In its
present form, and cut and eaten at the
feast then as now. In Eng
lrnd this cake is tower of niagnif-
canoe, in its proportions and ornamen-
tation. those at royal weddings espe-
cially beautiful and fabulous in price.
In choosing the wedding day a, little
verse has been authority. and is so fa-
niliar 1t scarcely requires repetition.
Monday for wealth, I
Tuesday for health,
Wednesday the best day of all;
Thursday for crosses,
Friday for losses,
Saturday no luck at all.
Present caprice seems to defy super G
tition, Thursday and Saturday being ,
he favorite and fashionable days to l
we'd. ITO be lucky" the bride is ex-
lorted to wear on the Important occa- q
ion,
Something old. something new,
Something borrowed, something blue. I
And 'in going into church the right q
oot must be first" The shower of
Ice and old slippers must not be for
often. to insure a happy future. Al
cry old but sensible custom seems to +
ave passed away in. viz. at the words !.
with all my worldly goods l thee en- d
ow," the groom poured many pieces
gold and silver coin into the hand q
erchief Of the BRIDE" to emphasize his :,
ow. The marriage calendar declares F"
lay the most fatal. and June and Oc- q
bier the most fortunate months. and Il
lso claims that 1t is an exceedingly :,
lsh couple who will
Marry in Lent !
And live TO repent. IA
To be warned is to be forearmed. but "
either luck. wealth or superstition can 4
.cure the coveted happiness. To gain I"
lis they must for all time henceforth p
Each for the other. W
And both for God.
It Is not always necessary to throw II
way a garment because 1t Is worn :
It In some places. Have 1t mended, fl
e can do 1t. Lake & Salmi S67 Com .l
ercial street. u