Something blue

that old saying is driving me nuts! I can't find it's origin any where, and I really want to. my friend said I had to follow through with it for my wedding, but I want to know where it came from. I know what it means, but, as I said before, I want to know where it came from. thanks

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW ...

Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in your shoe

The rhyme originated in Victorian times although some of customs referred in it are much older.

"Something old" represents the couple's friends who will hopefully remain close during the marriage. Traditionally this was old garter which given to the bride by a happily married woman in the hope that her happiness in marriage would be passed on to the new bride.

"Something new" symbolizes the newlyweds' happy and prosperous future.

"Something borrowed" is often lent by the bride's family and is an item much valued by the family. The bride must return the item to ensure good luck.

The custom of the bride wearing "something blue" originated in ancient Israel where the bride wore a blue ribbon in her hair to represent fidelity.

The placing of a silver sixpence in the bride's shoe was to ensure wealth in the couples married life. Today some brides substitute a penny in their shoe during the ceremony as silver sixpences are less common.

From U.S. Bridal Guide online :
Something Old: Continuity
Something New: Optimism and Hope
Something Borrowed: Happiness shared from happily married couple
Something Blue: Fidelity, Love, Purity
Lucky Sixpence For Her Shoe: Ensures a Life of Fortune

PS. Here's a little more on the "something blue" part. Guys had to wear blue also. That's a nice touch.

www.aomdj.com/ traditio.htm In continuing with the discussion of the white wedding dress, it should be noted that - in Biblical days - blue represented purity. Thus the bride and groom would wear a blue band around the bottom of their wedding attire, hence something blue.