Wedding Superstitions

Southland Times, Issue 21607, 20 January 1932, Page 3

Wedding Superstitions

Mbst of the superstitions affecting weddings are of a mixed character, touching upon all sorts of complex things. Wo would give prior place, however, to the saying that “Happy is the bride whom the sun shines on,” because, after all, a ray of sunshine can transform a gloomy picture into one of radiant splendour. The sun being so necessary, it follows that a bride will not welcome the rain. Now, if she has no desire for rain, her course is easy should there be a cat in the house. All she has to do is to feed the creature with her own hands on the wedding morn. The cat, having the power of propitiating the elements, will then look kindly on her act and sec to it that no rain falls. Speaking of cats, it is well to mention that if a black cat is seen while on the way to church, good luck is sure to come of it, while for a black cat to rub against the bride, is the height of good fortune. But to return to the question of rain for a moment; it is very certain that most British brides prefer their chosen day to be favoured by its absence, yet her sister in Germany goes to tho extent of praying for rain, since in the Fatherland each drop is looked upon as a precious blessing bringing with it some added joy. If tho bride is wakened on her wedding morn by the song of a bird, even though it is only the chirping of a sparrow, she may accept that as a good augury; also, if she discovers a spider in the folds of her dress—an unlikely thing, unless put there by the kind agency of a friend—the results will be all to the good. It is usually agreed that to break anything on the momentous morning, especially a mirror, is a bad sign, and it is equally disconcerting to lose the heel of a shoe. While mentioning mirrors, it may be said that it is highly necessary for the bride to add something to her toilet at every fresh glance into a looking glass, even if it in only her gloves. After the ceremony, it augurs well for their happiness if the happy pair look by chance into a mirror together; but all the good is undone if the act is planned beforehand. It is decidedly bad luck for the two young people to meet on the morning of the wedding -before the ceremony; but it is equally fortunate if they smile on each other as they meet at the altar. If the bride sees a lamb, a dove, a spider, or a black cat, already mentioned, when on her way to the church, then these are emblems of good luck; but it is reckoned as a very bad omen if she should encounter a funeral party, because it portends that somebody is bound to die soon. A pig that crosses the road in front of the wedding has a similar effect. After the wedding, the bridal bouquet should bo broken up and tossed among the bridesmaids and girl friends. Whoever catches these fragments is expected to enter upon the marriage state at no very distant date. • On changing her wedding toilet for her going-away gown, a bride should remove > all the p:ns, and either throw them away I or toss them, as she did her bouquet, to 1 her friends, otherwise bad luck is sure to i attend her. I Few superstitions concern themselves with I the conduct of the bridegroom on his wedding day. All will be well so long as he does not see his bride in bridal attire before < he meets her at the altar, docs not let his I hat fall, does not drop the ring or put it ' only partially on his bride’s finger. If she < has to assist him in that matter, then he > may expect to be ruled by her in the future. He should fee the clergyman (through the best man) with an odd sum of money, carry a small mascot in his pocket, and on c no account must he turn back for anything t after the wedding journey has once started, j At the homecoming, after the honeymoon, it is imperative that the husband carried his f wife across or over the threshold of their t new’ home. When this is done, both will c be blessed with all the food fortune they j desire.