Modern Brides Remember Traditions
By ANNETTE BUCHANAN
As the modern bride plans her
wedding, she takes into account
many old customs. The histori
cal origins of these traditions are
both unusual and interesting.
Selecting a ring is one of the
first steps for an engaged cou
ple. A diamond is the most com
mon betrothal gem and has been
accepted as such since the 15th
century. The word "diamond” is
from the Greek "adamas” which
means unconquerable.
The Egyptians were the first
to actually use a ring in the
wedding ceremony. This was pre
ceded by an ancient Jewish cere
mony in which a symbolic ring.
too large to be worn on the An
ger, was given to the bride.
The circular shape of the ring
is said to be a carry-over from
fetters and bracelets worn by
slave women in primitive times.
The theme of submission is also
carried out by wearing the ring
on the left hand, the traditional
symbol of subjection. This cus
tom had been followed by Eng
lish speaking peoples since the
16th century.
An ancient belief decrees that
a “vein of love" runs directly
from the fourth fin;er to the
heart. Hence the vt.dding ring
is worn on that finger, closest to
the hand, with the engagement
ring on the outside.
In the Protestant service, t h c
ring ceremony symbolizes the per
fect circle of married life. Catho
lics consider the ring a very an
cient pre-Christian symbol of
faithfulness which has been
adopted by the church.
In the quaint days of yore,
cavemen gave their brides a smash
with a mammoth club, and carted
them off to a cave. Strong-armed
buddies of the groom kept the
girl's family at bay while all this
was going on—thus the custom
of “Best Man" at a wedding was
hatched.
The French of the Middle Ages
had a custom almost as boisterous 1
—it was considered good luck to
get the bride's garter, and after
a wedding ceremony there was a
scuttle for it. This got a bit brutal,
and eventually the elegant old
custom degenerated into vying
for the bridal bouquet.
Many other wedding customs
date back hundreds of years, and
come from all over the world.
Centuries ago, it was believed
that a blood vein ran through the
middle linger of the left hand
straight to the heart For some
reason, it was decided that this
would be a good place to put a
wedding ring
The custom of wearing the ring ;
on the left hand reportedly steins
from the theory that the left hand
is symbolic of subjection, while
the right hand indirates authority.
The veil worn by brides at
weddings is an offshoot of the veil
worn by women in the Middle
Fast. Here too, the idea of '•silli
mission" governs the custom.
Military Wedding
The military wedding follows
the regular marriage ceremony
with the groom in dress uniform.
The best man may or may not lie
a serviceman. The dress for the
civilian best man and father-of
the bride is formal.
OLSONS
HOUSE OF DIAMONDS
a million yeARS
in the making...
Only a diamond can symbolize
a moment like tbis ... that precious
second when he slips her i
engagement ring on her finger.
Together they see it glow
in all its radiant beauty... the
only gem that can make
one moment in a lifetime stand
completely still.
Befitting love’s foremost symbol,
a diamond should be chosen
thoughtfully and with counsel. Our
reputation and experience in r '.j
diamonds are well known ... our tvj
selection second to none. -7
OLSONS’
HOUSE OF DIAMONDS
1016 Willamette
S&H GREEN
STAMPS