Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-27


lowing Of age-old traditions.
With so many nuptials
planned for the coming
months. ] thought II would
be interesting TO delve into
the past and see how some OF
these customs came about.
Questionable engagement
and wedding rings today SYM
bolize the betrothal and mar
rage VOWS. Where did this
custom originate and why
are the rings worn on the
third finger Of the left hand?
Answer-During the stone
age the cave mans marriage
was made by capture. His
brides wrists and ankles were
bound with rushes. From this
ancient custom has evolved
the engagement ring and we'd
ding band that we know to-
day. The traditions govern
ing why these rings are worn
on the third finger Of the left
hand are a little obscure An
old Greek legend believes
that this finger had a special
vein which led directly TO
the heart. This theory was,
Of course. exploded when the
medical discovery was made
that all fingers have a vein
connected with the hearth
Perhaps the belief that the
custom stems from the early
Christian ceremony is the
correct one. In this ritual the
bridegroom placed the ring
first on his brides thumb,
then on the first, second and
third fingers. saying as he
did so. In the name Of the
Father and the Son and the
Holy Ghost. Amen" The
Amen" brought the ring to
the third finger where it re-
manned.
QuestiOn-Where did the
custom originate Of throwing
rice on the bridal couple as
they depart on their honey
moon?
AnSwer-In ancient times
people believed that throwing
rice would divert evil spirits
who might otherwise harm
the couple. AS rice has al
ways been known as a symbol
Of good crops and a full
larder, another legend has it
that by pelting the bridal
couple with it, prosperity and
happiness would be sure to
follow.
Questi0n-Why are old
shoes thrown after the de-
parting bride and BRIDE
groom?
Answer-Many conflicting
theories lay claim to the
origin Of these old traditions
that We observe today. The
reason for throwing shoes,
according to an Elizabethan
poet. Home again hither-
ward. quick as a bee. Now
for good luck, cast an old
shoe at me-" In India the
theory is that the custom
evolved from the ritual Of
throwing red slippers across
. roof as q reminder that
visitors would not be well
come!
Question-What is the sig
nificance of the orange
blossoms that are tradition
ally worn by the first-time
bride?
AnSwer-There are several
theories regarding this. One
is that the Moors and Sara
Gems considered the orange
blossom the symbol of fer
tility.
Question-Why do some
brides shy away from taking
an active part in their we'd
ding rehearsal?
Answer-Down through the
years there has come a SUI
perstition that dire misfor-
tune will descend upon the
head Of the bride who takes
part in her wedding rehear-
sal. Many brides abide by this
old tradition to find that
disaster may descend sooner
than she expectsl After all,
no one in the bridal party
needs to rehearse more than
the bride herself! 1t is she
who will be cynosure of all
eyes and, If not thoroughly
versed in the role she has to
play. embarrassment and I'M
easiness are bound to be the
result. Isn't following this old
superstition rather ridiculous
when you look at it from the
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