Fun Find: The Meaning Behind a Timeless Riddle
Something Old…Something New…Something Borrowed…Something Blue…and a Silver Sixpense in her shoe!
We have all heard this riddle time after time again in relation to a bride on her wedding day, but do we all know the meaning behind each item?
Something Old
Something old should be an item given to the bride from a happily married woman. This item plays as a link between the bride and her old life and family traditions. Superstition has it, that the happiness of marriage will transfer to the bride to ensure a sense of continuity within the new marriage. Popular items that are given may be a piece of jewelry, a hair piece, a gown, or a veil. If there are many grandchildren in the family, perhaps dividing up pieces of lace from your grandmother’s dress between your cousins would be a great idea!
Something New
Something new signifies hope for the future of the marriage. This is very easy to find, since many times the new bridal rings, wedding gown, shoes, or maybe another piece of jewelry worn could signify an new item. If your jewelry is your “something new”, it could be a wonderful idea to pass the item down to a future daughter or granddaughter as well for their “something old”!
Something Borrowed
There are many different ideas surrounding “something borrowed”. First, always look to a family member who is happily married. Whomever you turn to, perhaps they still have their sixpense that they wore on their wedding day, or have a vintage hair piece that you could borrow for your up-do. Other ideas could be a brooch from their wedding dress that would look beautiful with a sash around the waist, a perfume, a clutch, or again, a piece of jewelry could always work as well!
Something Blue
Something Blue represents the Heavens, purity, modesty and fidelity. During the Roman Ages, brides often wore blue to symbolize love and fidelity. Many bride’s have fun with coming up with items to wear that are blue. The most popular blue items may be a blue garter, blue shoes, bouquets, or sapphire jewelry.
…And a Sixpense in her Shoe!
An old English tradition, it became a custom for parents of the bride to give a sixpense as a dowry gift to the groom during the seventeenth century. It has become a symbol of wealth and luck within a marriage. However, these coins are becoming rare, since sixpenses are no longer minted in England since 1967! Make sure to keep these coins safe and to pass them down to children and grandchildren in years to come.