Monday, February 04, 2013

Something old, something new

something borrowed
something blue

I know you've all heard this traditional rhyme which details what a bride should wear at her wedding for  good luck. Ever wonder when or where this tradition started? 
I wonder about things like that but I am a curious one and prone to wild goose chases... hmm... I wonder where that term originated too. Anyway . . .

Each item in this poem represents a good-luck token for the bride. If she carries all of them on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy. "Something old" symbolizes continuity with the bride's family and the past. 



"Something new" means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead. "Something borrowed" is usually an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride. The borrowed item also reminds the bride that she can depend on her friends and family.

As for the colorful item, blue has been connected to weddings for centuries. In ancient Rome, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity. Christianity has long dressed the Virgin Mary in blue, so purity was associated with the color. 


Before the late 19th century, blue was a popular color for wedding gowns, as evidenced in proverbs like, "Marry in blue, lover be true."
I have heard these rhymes all of my life but I never new about the blue wedding gowns. I guess your never to old to learn.
Come join me at Blue Monday with Smiling Sally


11 comments:

  1. I love your post! I learn over here in blog land everyday!
    I was very disappointed in the Super Bowl. The political junk, the half time show was Michael Jackson with a dress on! But the best commercial was the Paul Harvey rendition of "The Farmer". It touched my heart. Please pray for Colorado. We are in a drought and the farmers could lose all their crops.
    Sweet poem and lovely photos. I was raised Catholic so I know the Lord's mother quite well. Hugs Anne

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  2. I never knew about blue wedding gowns. The one you show is gorgeous for it's time. I also never heard "Marry in blue, lover be true." Thanks for sharing your blues.

    Happy Blue Monday!

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  3. The blue wedding gowns new to me. Good to know this.

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  4. What a special blue post. I love what you tell us and the photo's.

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  5. So interesting!
    Thanks for dropping and visiting!

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  6. Very interesting. We have a wedding coming up in our family in Oct. :)

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  7. Very beautiful necklace, a nice photo.

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  8. Wow all three are beautiful!

    Catching up with Blue Monday.
    My BLUE
    It's always a pleasure to read your comment.

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  9. I didn't know about the blue wedding gowns either. And I always fancied wearing a royal blue dress to my wedding. I mean my second wedding if I ever get to have one :)

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Have a blessed day!
Annette