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A few years ago, I was the only “gweilo” (Caucasian) in a Chinese friend’s wedding party. Even more interesting, I was the bridesmaid. Although the ceremony was quite Christian, there was an interesting Chinese influence. None of the flowers, especially those carried by the bridal party, could be white. In China, white flowers are commonly associated with death, making them highly inappropriate to wear at a wedding. As a result, we all carried bouquets of red roses, the color traditionally associated with luck and happiness. The whole experience opened my eyes to the fascinating variety of floral wedding traditions in different cultures.
The flowers are so beautiful that it is not surprising that they are used in weddings all over the world. What is fascinating are the uses to which they are put. In Thailand, for example, the mothers of the bride and groom place a “puang malai” (flower garland) around the couple. As the couple sit, facing each other with their hands clasped under their chins, the garland joins their hands, assuring them of good fortune in their life together.
In a Greek Orthodox wedding, the bride and groom traditionally wear orange blossom wreaths. A ribbon unites the two crowns, symbolizing the unity of the couple. The flowers symbolize virginity and purity because they are white and fragile and give off a sweet and delicate aroma. The flowers are also long-lasting, an advantage during the rather long Orthodox ceremony.
In England, in the Victorian era, there was an obsession with flower symbolism and flower colours. It was during this time that the corsage became popular, a form of bridal bouquet that is still in fashion today. Roses were the standard, though different colors represented different ideas; red was for passionate love, peach for modesty, white for purity, etc. Daisies (innocence), orchids (true love), chrysanthemums (wealth and abundance), and freesias (innocence) were also popular. Orange blossoms were also very common and represented the same ideals of purity and chastity as in a Greek Orthodox wedding. A large number of the floral traditions and associations of the Victorian era are still present in today’s Western society.
The idea of needing to attract good luck is also a common theme in international floral wedding traditions. In some European countries, such as Sweden and Denmark, the bride and groom carry small packets of strong-smelling herbs on their clothes, such as garlic, chives, and rosemary. Such herbs are believed to bring good luck. This is similar to the ancient Roman tradition, in which brides carried bundles of herbs to ward off evil spirits. In Victorian England, the bride would throw her bouquet to her best friend at the end of the ceremony, which was thought to keep that friend safe, protect her from evil, and ensure that she would be next in line. get marry. This tradition has grown into the throwing of modern wedding bouquets. And in India, the groom’s brother sprinkles flower petals over the couple at the end of the ceremony, again to protect the couple from evil.