Irish wedding traditions Shershneva Daria 10 “B” Schoo180 Teacher: Dmitruk L.E.

Blue Wedding Dress The traditional Irish bride wore a blue wedding dress rather than white. This color was a symbol of purity in ancient times before white became the universal symbol for virginity.

Hand fasting Hand fasting is an ancient Ireland Celtic tradition, in which a man + woman came together at the start of their marriage relationship. Each partner holds the hands of the other, right hand to right hand, left hand to left, their wrists crossed. The ribbon is wound around the wrists over the top of one and under and around the other, creating the infinity symbol. The practice gave way to the expression “tying the knot”. So fun to learn what that phrase came from!

Wildflowers Many Irish brides wore a wreath of wildflowers in their hair rather than an elaborate veil and carried bouquets of herbs and wildflowers to match.

Braided Hair Irish brides often wore their hair in braids with ribbon and lace woven through the braids. Braided hair is an ancient Irish symbol of feminine power and luck

Harp From early times, Ireland is unique in having a musical instrument, the harp, as its national emblem. A harpist traditionally played during the wedding ceremony and at the wedding banquet or celebrations.

Make-up bells Giving a bell as a wedding gift is another Irish tradition. The chime of bells is said to keep evil spirits away and also remind the married couple of their wedding vows. A nice modern twist is to hand out tiny bells to your guests to ring as you ‘tie the knot’ or when you exit the church instead of throwing confetti.

Lucky horseshoe Irish brides used to carry a real horseshoe for good luck. (Turned up so the luck won't run out). You can get porcelain horseshoes which most Irish brides carry these days, or one made of fabric which is worn on the wrist. 

Luck Money The custom of the Groom presenting his Bride with a coin is said to date back to the time when the Groom paid luck money to the family of the Bride, in order to bring happiness and blessings upon them. After the exchange of wedding rings, the coin would be presented to the Bride as a symbol of worldly goods. There is a contemporary custom where the Bride and Groom exchange coins, and it is said that, if the coins clink as they are exchanged, the couple will be blessed with children. After the wedding, the gift is often preserved as a family heirloom, and is passed from mother to eldest son on his wedding day.

Irish Wedding Ring The ring extended to the bride during an Irish wedding is called a Claddagh. The token displays a heart with two hands surrounding it and topped by a crown. It symbolizes the love and friendship shared between the bride and groom by the hands and the heart, and the crown stands for the loyalty shared between the two in marriage. The ring is also appropriate as an engagement ring. Even though the tradition is centered on the bride's ring, nowadays men's jewelry also includes versions of the Claddagh ring. 

Celtic sign of love

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Resources: http://www.prosvadby.com/irlandskie-svadebnye-tradicii-zaimstvujte-dlya-sebya http://www.best-country.org/euroepe/ireland/wdding http://www.svadbagolik.ru/article/svadba-po-irlandski/