SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW......Thunderhead

Where did the custom of the bride carrying "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" originate?

No one knows for sure. The rhyme originated in Victorian times, although some of the customs referred to in it are much older. However, I can at least tell you what brides traditionally carried. The "something old" is supposed to be the garter from a happily married woman. The "something new" is the wedding dress. The "something borrowed" is often a coin from the groom (worn in the bride's shoe) or it can be something (preferably old and valuable) from the bride's family. (Note to brides: Make sure you return the item or you'll be unlucky!) The "something blue" may be a symbol of the moon, which is associated with fertility. Or it may be just a blue ribbon, to symbolize fidelity. ---

Why do wedding guests throw birdseed instead of rice now?

The custom of throwing rice at the bride and groom at weddings has been largely replaced in the US with the throwing of birdseed instead. But the trend has nothing to do with the myth that uncooked rice causes birds' stomachs to explode. Birds can eat uncooked rice without the rice swelling in their stomachs and exploding (how many exploded birds have YOU seen?). The hardness of uncooked rice isn't a problem either. After all, birds will swallow gravel and stones! But birds don't really LIKE uncooked rice and they'll usually leave it alone. Throwing birdseed makes the church custodian's job easier. Czech newlyweds, by the way, get peas, instead of rice or birdseed, thrown at them. The custom of throwing anything at all originates in pagan times and it's supposed to ensure that the union of the bride and groom is a fruitful (i.e. fertile) one. ---

Why are wedding rings worn on the fourth finger of the left hand?

Engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger (third, if you don't count the thumb) on the left hand because it was believed in ancient times that the vein of love led straight to the heart from that finger.

SUDDEN FACTS

~Thunderhead

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