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Something blue

Posted by ESC on June 12, 2000

In Reply to: Wedding custom posted by ESC on June 12, 2000

: : 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.

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