Why Do Brides Wear Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue?
The tradition of incorporating something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue into a bride’s wedding attire is a long-standing custom that has been passed down through generations in many English-speaking countries. This tradition is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to the bride as she embarks on her matrimonial journey. Each item carries its own significance and symbolism, contributing to the sentimental value of the wedding day.
The “something old” represents continuity with the bride’s past and her family’s history, serving as a means to honour her heritage and ancestral lineage. The “something new” symbolises optimism for the future and the new life the bride is about to begin with her partner, embodying hope and anticipation for the journey ahead. The “something borrowed” is typically an item loaned from a happily married friend or family member, symbolising shared happiness and good fortune.
Lastly, the “something blue” represents fidelity, love, and purity, which are considered essential elements for a successful and harmonious marriage.
Summary
- Something old represents continuity and connection to the past, often a family heirloom or vintage item.
- Something new symbolises optimism for the future and the couple’s new life together, often the wedding dress or jewellery.
- Something borrowed signifies borrowed happiness and is usually an item loaned from a happily married friend or family member.
- Something blue represents purity, love, and fidelity, often incorporated into the bride’s attire through a blue garter or accessories.
- Brides incorporate these items into their outfits through creative and personal touches, such as sewing a piece of fabric from a loved one’s clothing into their dress or wearing a blue hair accessory.
The Symbolism Behind Each Item
The Significance of “Something Old”
The “something old” represents the bride’s connection to her past and her family’s history. It can be a piece of jewellery passed down through generations, a family heirloom, or even a piece of fabric from her mother’s wedding gown. This item serves as a reminder of where the bride comes from and the love and support of her family.
The Promise of “Something New”
The “something new” symbolises hope for the future and the new life the bride is about to embark upon with her partner. It represents optimism, excitement, and the promise of a bright and happy future. This item can be the bride’s wedding dress, a new piece of jewellery, or even a special accessory purchased specifically for the occasion.
The Blessings of “Something Borrowed” and “Something Blue”
The “something borrowed” is often lent by a happily married friend or family member, symbolising the transfer of happiness and good fortune from one marriage to another. It is a way for the bride to incorporate the love and blessings of those who have found happiness in marriage. Lastly, the “something blue” represents fidelity, love, and purity. Blue has long been associated with these qualities, making it a fitting symbol for a bride as she enters into marriage. This item can be a blue garter, a piece of jewellery, or even a discreet blue ribbon sewn into the bride’s gown. It serves as a reminder of the commitment and loyalty that are essential for a successful and enduring marriage.
Historical Origins of the Tradition
The tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue dates back to Victorian England and is rooted in superstition and folklore. Each item was believed to bring different forms of luck and protection to the bride on her wedding day. The “something old” was thought to ward off the evil eye and protect the bride from any negativity or ill-wishes.
The “something new” was believed to bring good fortune and success to the marriage, ensuring a prosperous future for the newlyweds. The “something borrowed” was thought to symbolise the transfer of happiness from one happily married woman to another. It was believed that by borrowing something from a woman who had found marital bliss, the bride would also experience joy and contentment in her own marriage.
The “something blue” has its origins in ancient Israel, where blue was considered to be a symbol of purity and fidelity. It was believed that wearing something blue would protect the bride from any evil spirits that might try to interfere with her happiness on her wedding day.
How Brides Incorporate These Items into Their Outfits
Brides have found creative and meaningful ways to incorporate something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue into their wedding attire. For the “something old,” brides often choose to wear a piece of jewellery that has been passed down through generations, such as a necklace, bracelet, or earrings. Some brides opt to wear their mother’s or grandmother’s wedding gown as their “something old,” adding a sentimental touch to their attire.
For the “something new,” brides typically choose their wedding dress as this item. The dress represents the start of a new chapter in the bride’s life and symbolises hope for the future. Brides may also choose to wear new jewellery or accessories that hold special meaning for them.
The “something borrowed” is often a piece of jewellery loaned by a close friend or family member who is happily married. This item serves as a token of love and support from those who have found happiness in marriage. As for the “something blue,” brides have numerous options for incorporating this colour into their attire.
Many brides choose to wear a blue garter under their wedding dress, while others opt for blue shoes or accessories. Some brides even choose to have a discreet blue ribbon sewn into their gown or carry a blue bouquet of flowers. Whatever the choice may be, incorporating something blue into their outfit serves as a symbol of fidelity, love, and purity.
Modern Interpretations of the Tradition
In modern times, brides have embraced the tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue with creativity and personalisation. While some brides choose to follow the tradition in its original form, others have put their own unique spin on it to make it more meaningful to them. For the “something old,” brides may choose to wear a piece of jewellery that holds sentimental value to them personally, rather than one that has been passed down through generations.
For the “something new,” brides often select an item that represents their own hopes and dreams for the future. This could be a special piece of jewellery that they have purchased for themselves or an accessory that holds personal significance. The “something borrowed” has also taken on new meaning in modern times, with brides borrowing items from friends or family members who hold special significance in their lives, regardless of their marital status.
As for the “something blue,” modern brides have embraced this tradition with creativity and flair. Some brides choose to incorporate blue into their wedding attire in subtle ways, such as with blue nail polish or hair accessories. Others opt for bold statements, such as wearing a stunning pair of blue shoes or carrying a bouquet of vibrant blue flowers.
Whatever the interpretation may be, modern brides have found unique ways to honour this tradition while making it their own.
Superstitions and Beliefs Associated with Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue
The tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue is steeped in superstitions and beliefs that have been passed down through generations. It is believed that by incorporating these items into her wedding attire, the bride will ensure good luck and prosperity in her marriage. The “something old” is thought to protect the bride from any negativity or ill-wishes on her wedding day.
The “something new” is believed to bring good fortune and success to the marriage, ensuring a prosperous future for the newlyweds. The “something borrowed” is thought to symbolise the transfer of happiness from one happily married woman to another, ensuring joy and contentment in the bride’s own marriage. Lastly, the “something blue” is believed to protect the bride from any evil spirits that might try to interfere with her happiness on her wedding day.
Personalized and Creative Ways to Honour the Tradition
Brides have found countless personalized and creative ways to honour the tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue on their wedding day. For the “something old,” brides may choose to wear a piece of jewellery that holds personal significance to them or incorporate a meaningful family heirloom into their attire. Some brides even choose to wear vintage accessories or incorporate antique elements into their wedding ensemble.
For the “something new,” brides often select an item that represents their own hopes and dreams for the future. This could be a special piece of jewellery that they have purchased for themselves or an accessory that holds personal significance. The “something borrowed” has also taken on new meaning in modern times, with brides borrowing items from friends or family members who hold special significance in their lives, regardless of their marital status.
As for the “something blue,” modern brides have embraced this tradition with creativity and flair. Some brides choose to incorporate blue into their wedding attire in subtle ways, such as with blue nail polish or hair accessories. Others opt for bold statements, such as wearing a stunning pair of blue shoes or carrying a bouquet of vibrant blue flowers.
Whatever the interpretation may be, modern brides have found unique ways to honour this tradition while making it their own. In conclusion, the tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue holds deep meaning and significance for brides as they embark on their journey into marriage. This charming custom has stood the test of time and continues to be embraced by brides around the world as they seek to honour their past while looking forward to their future with hope and optimism.
Whether following the tradition in its original form or putting a modern spin on it, brides have found countless ways to make this tradition their own while celebrating love, happiness, and prosperity on their wedding day.
If you’re interested in learning more about wedding traditions and customs, you should check out the World Bridal Event website. They have a great article on the history and significance of the “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” tradition. You can find the article here. It’s a fascinating read that delves into the origins of this popular wedding custom. And while you’re there, be sure to explore the rest of the site for more wedding inspiration and advice.
FAQs
What is the significance of wearing something old, new, borrowed, and blue for brides?
Wearing something old, new, borrowed, and blue is a tradition that dates back to the Victorian era and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the bride on her wedding day.
What does each item symbolize?
Something old represents continuity with the bride’s past and her family. Something new symbolizes optimism and hope for the future. Something borrowed is meant to be an item loaned from a happily married friend or family member to bring their good fortune to the bride. Something blue represents purity, love, and fidelity.
Are there specific items that brides typically choose for each category?
Common choices for something old include heirloom jewellery or a piece of fabric from a family member’s wedding gown. Something new can be the bride’s wedding dress or a piece of jewellery. Something borrowed might be a veil or a piece of jewellery from a happily married friend or family member. Something blue can be incorporated through a blue garter, a piece of jewellery, or even the bride’s shoes.
Is this tradition still popular today?
Yes, many brides still choose to incorporate the tradition of wearing something old, new, borrowed, and blue into their wedding attire as a way to honour tradition and add sentimental value to their wedding day.
Can brides personalize the items they choose for each category?
Absolutely! Brides often choose items that hold personal significance to them and their families, allowing them to put their own unique spin on this age-old tradition.
