Why the Honeymoon
Why Does the Bride Wear a Veil?
The bride's veil and bouquet are of greater antiquity than her
white gown. Her veil, which was yellow in ancient Greece and red in
ancient Rome, usually shrouded her from head to foot, and has since
the earliest of times, denoted the subordination of a woman to man.
The thicker the veil, the more traditional the implication of
wearing it.
According to tradition, it is considered bad luck for the bride
to be seen by the groom before the ceremony. As a matter of fact,
in the old days of marriage by purchase, the couple rarely saw each
other at all. The lifting of the veil at the end of the ceremony
symbolizes male dominance. If the bride takes the initiative in
lifting it, thereby presenting herself to him, she is showing more
independence.
Why Does the Bride
Wear White?
The color white has been a symbol of joyous celebration since
early Roman times. At the beginning to the twentieth century, white
stood for purity as well. Today, it holds it original meaning of
happiness and joy.
Why a Wedding Cake?
Beginning in early Roman times, the cake has been a special part
of the wedding celebration. A thin loaf was broken over the bride's
head at the close of the ceremony to symbolize fertility. The wheat
from which it was made, symbolized fertility and the guests eagerly
picked up the crumbs as good luck charms. During the Middle Ages,
it became traditional for the couple to kiss over a small cluster
of cakes. Later, a clever baker decided to amass all these small
cakes together, covering them with frosting. Thus, the modern
tiered cake was born.
Why the Honeymoon?
In ancient times, many of the first marriages were by capture,
not choice. When early man felt it was time to take a bride, he
would often carry off an unwilling woman to a secret place where
her relatives wouldn't find them. While the moon went through all
its phases, (about 30 days) they hid from the searchers and drank a
brew made from honey. Hence, we get the word, honeymoon.
Why an Engagement Ring?
In the early days of "Marriage by Purchase," the betrothal ring
served a twofold purpose. This twofold purpose included partial
payment for the bride and was a symbol of the groom's honorable
intentions. The diamond was found first in Medieval Italy, and
because of its hardness, was chosen to stand for enduring love.
Ex.1 Make sure that you read the following words properly. Veil,
bouquet, ancient Greece, fertility, the Middle Ages, cluster,
tiered, capture, brew, betrothal, twofold, honorable, diamond,
Medieval Ex.2 State the parts of speech and underline the
suffixes.
Joyous, celebration, purity, happiness, antiquity, traditional,
section, early, honorable, searcher, dominance, symbolize, Ex. 3
Say if the statements are true or false. Correct the false
ones.
1. The color white has been a symbol of joyous celebration since
early Roman times.2. The thinner the veil, the more traditional the
implication of wearing it.
3. According to tradition, it is considered good luck for the
bride to be seen by the groom before the ceremony.
4. A cheesecake was broken over the bride's head at the close of
the ceremony to symbolize fertility.
5. When early man felt it was time to take a bride, he would
often carry off an unwilling woman to a secret place where her
relatives wouldn't find them.6. The diamond was found first in
Medieval France, and because of its hardness, was chosen to stand
for enduring love.Ex.4 Insert the missing information.
1. At the beginning to the twentieth century, white stood for as
well.
2. The from which it was made, symbolized and the guests eagerly
picked up the crumbs as luck charms.
3. As a matter of fact, in the old days of marriage by , the
couple rarely each other at all.
4. During the Middle Ages, it became for the couple to kiss over
a small cluster of cakes.
5. While the went through all its phases, (about 30 days) they
hid from the searchers and drank a made from honey.
6. This twofold included partial payment for the bride and was a
symbol of the groom's intentions.
