| Interesting and Fun
In keeping with the casual and fun spirit of Kissing Fish Weddings we thought we would provide a few anecdotes and other curious bits relating to wedding customs, rituals and symbolism for your enjoyment.
Who knows... You may decide to hold "Forget-me-Nots" while standing under an Oak Tree!
About the ring finger
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The following are anecdotes, traditions and customs from different eras and cultures regarding the wedding ring and “the ring finger”.
Why should the wedding ring be worn on the fourth finger?
Firstly, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers and hold them together - back to back.
Secondly, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip
Thumb represents your Parents
Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings
Middle finger represents Yourself
Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner
The Last (Little) finger represents your Children
Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents).
They will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you forever, and have to leave you sooner or later.
Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings).
They will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to lead their own separate lives.
Now join the Index fingers and separate your Little fingers (representing your children).
These will open too, because your children also will get married and settle down with their own families some day.
Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse).
You will be surprised to see that you just CANNOT!
Because husband & wife have to remain together all their lives - through thick and thin!!
The circular ring, symbolizing undying and unending love, is traditionally worn on the third finger on the left hand.
This finger was chosen based on the Greek belief that the artery from that finger flows directly to the heart. Placing the ring on the vena amoris, or love vein, thereby joined the couple’s destiny. Early Christians are believed to have chosen the third finger on the left hand because when you touch the ring to three fingers while repeating, "In the name of the Father, of the Son, and the Holy Ghost" it lands on the third finger. |
The world's biggest wedding ring
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The world's biggest wedding ring
Ring of Brodgar
Like many other parts of the world, Britain has its fair share of ancient stone circles. See for example, the stones on the Orkney Islands. Near the Loch of Stennis there were two large stone circles, dedicated the sun and moon. Until just two hundred years ago, a bride would walk around the circle of the moon stones, and the groom would circuit the sun stones. They then met at the huge Odin Stone which had a circular hole. They would join hands through this hole, plight their troth, and become man and wife.
It is believed the stone was erected there 5,000 years ago. But two hundred years ago it was destroyed by grumpy landowner Captain Mackay, who was tired of the hoards of visitors to the stones. Marketing, as we know it today, was in its infancy then. |
Symbolism of flowers and trees
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Flower Symbolism
Apple blossoms - good fortune
Bluebells - constancy
Blue Violets - faithfulness
Carnations - distinction
Daisies (white) - innocence
Forget-me-nots - true love
Gardenias - joy
Lilies - innocence & purity
Lily of the Valley - happiness
Orange blossoms - fertility & purity
Orchids - beauty
Roses - love
Tree Symbolism
Bamboo - endurance. Has the perfect balance of grace and strength. Bending in the wind and recovering to it’s natural position after the storm.
Oak – strength and courage
Palm – peace and opportunity
Pine – creativity, life, longevity
Magnolia – magnificence and splendor
Specific trees also have their own symbolic meanings. For example, the oak is the mightiest of trees and symbolizes strength and courage. The ancient Romans thought oak trees attracted lightening and thereby connected the oak tree to the sky god, Jupiter and his wife, Juno, the goddess of marriage. Thus, the oak is a symbol of conjugal fidelity and fulfillment. The oak tree was regarded by Socrates as an oracle tree. The Druids likewise ate acorns in preparation for prophesying. In addition, the Druids believed the leaves of the oak tree had the power to heal and renew strength. |
A wedding cake recipe
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A Good Wedding Cake
Author Unknown
4 lb. of love.
1 lb. butter of youth
1/2 lb. of good looks
l lb. sweet temper
1 lb. of blindness for faults
1 lb. of self forgetfulness
l lb. of pounded wit
l lb. of good humor
2 tablespoons of sweet argument
1 pint of rippling laughter
1 wine glass of common sense
1 oz. modesty
Put the love, good looks and sweet temper into a well furnished house. Beat the butter of youth to a cream, and mix well together with the blindness of faults. Stir the pounded wit and good humor into the sweet argument, then add the rippling laughter and common sense. Work the whole together until everything is well mixed, and bake gently for ever. |
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