EarlyAfricanAmerican:JumpingtheBroomInthetimesofslaveryinthiscountry,AfricanAmericancoupleswerenotallowedtoformallymarryandlivetogether.Tomakeapublicdeclarationoftheirloveandcommitment,amanandwomanjumpedoverabroomintomatrimony,tothebeatofdrums.(ThebroomhaslongheldsignificantmeaningforthevariousAfricans,symbolizing,thestartofhome-makingforthenewlywedcouple.InSouthernAfrica,thedayafterthewedding,thebrideassistedtheotherwomeninthefamilyinsweepingthecourtyard,indicatingherdutifulwillingnesstohelpherin-lawswithhouseworktillthenewlywedscouldmovetotheirnewhome.)SomeAfrican-Americancouplestodayarechoosingtoincludethissymbolicriteintheirweddingceremony.
早期非洲裔美国人:跳扫帚在美国的黑奴时代,黑人男女是不允许正式结婚生活在一起的。为了向世人宣布他们的爱情和婚约,一对黑人男女和着鼓声的节奏,一起跳过一把扫帚。(扫帚对各种非洲人长期来都具有很重要的意义,因为它意味着新婚夫妇组成家庭的开始。在南部非洲,新娘在婚后的第一天要帮助夫家的其他女性清扫院子,以此表明在住进自己的新家前,她愿意尽职地帮助丈夫的家人承担家务劳动。)直至今日,一些美国黑人还在他们的婚礼上举行这种象征性的仪式。
Armenia:Twowhitedovesmaybereleasedtosignifyloveandhappiness.Thebridemaydressinredsilkandmaywearcardboardwingswithfeathersonherhead.Smallcoinsmaybethrownather.
亚美尼亚:人们放飞两只白鸽,以示爱情和幸福。新娘穿着红色丝绸的服装,头戴饰有羽毛的纸翼。人们还可向新娘投掷硬币。
Belgium:Thebridemaystillembroiderhernameonherhandkerchief,carryitontheweddingday,thenframeitandkeepituntilthenextfamilybridemarries.
比利时:新娘可以将其姓名绣在手帕上,在婚礼举行日随身带上它。婚礼后将手帕装入镜框保存,直到家里的另外一个姑娘结婚。
Bermuda:Islanderstoptheirtieredweddingcakeswithatinysapling.Thenewlywedsplantthetreeattheirhome,wheretheycanwatchitgrow,astheirmarriagegrows.
百慕大:百慕大岛民在他们的多层婚礼蛋糕的顶层插上一株小树苗,新婚夫妇要将这株树苗种在家中,这样他们可以目睹树苗伴随着他们的婚姻一起长大。
Bohemia:Thegroomgivesthebridearosary,aprayerbook,agirdlewiththreekeys(toguardhervirtue),afurcap,andasilverweddingring.Thebridegivesthegroomashirtsewnwithgoldthreadblendedwithcoloredsilksandaweddingring.Beforetheceremony,thegroomsmanwrapsthegroominthebride"scloaktokeepevilspiritsfromcreepinginanddividingtheirtwohearts.
波黑人:新郎向新娘赠送一串念珠,一本祈祷文,一根上面串着三把钥匙的腰带(用以保护她的贞洁),一顶毛皮帽,一个银的结婚戒指。新娘则向新郎赠送一件用金线和彩色丝绸缝制的衬衣和结婚戒指。婚礼前,伴郎将新郎裹进新娘的斗篷里,以防恶魔侵入,拆散他们相爱的心。Caribbean:ArichblackcakebakedwithdriedfruitsandrumisespeciallypopularontheislandsofBarbados,GrenadaandSt.Lucia.Therecipe,handeddownfrommothertodaughter,isembellishedbyeach.Itisconsidereda"pound"cake--withtherecipecallingforapoundeachofflour,darkbrownsugar,butter,glacecherries,raisins,prunes,currants,plusadozeneggsandflavorings.Thedriedfruitsaresoakedinrumandkeptinacrockanywherefromtwoweekstosixmonths.
加勒比地区:在巴巴多斯,格林纳达和圣卢西亚,用干果和朗姆酒制作的味道浓郁的蛋糕十分常见。蛋糕的制作方法,由母亲亲手传给女儿,并且各自对其加以修饰。人们把这种蛋糕叫作“一磅”蛋糕,因为制作这种蛋糕需要面粉、棕糖、黄油、糖霜樱桃、葡萄干、李子、红醋、栗各一磅,加上一打鸡蛋和调味品。制作蛋糕的干果要在朗姆酒中浸泡并在瓦罐中保存两个星期至6个月。
Croatia:Marriedfemalerelativesremovethebride"sveilandreplaceitwithakerchiefandapron,symbolsofhernewmarriedstatus.Sheisthenserenadedbyallthemarriedwomen.Followingtheweddingceremony,thoseassembledwalkthreetimesaroundthewell(symbolizingtheHolyTrinity,)andthrowapplesintoit(symbolizingfertility).
克罗地亚:由已婚的女性亲戚摘下新娘的面纱,换上一块头巾和一条围裙,意味着新娘的已婚新身份。然后由所有的已婚妇女为新娘唱小夜曲。婚礼之后,所有来宾围绕着井走三圈(象征着圣三位一体),并向井中扔苹果(象征着生育)。
TheCzechRepublic:Friendswouldsneakintothebride"syardtoplantatree,thendecorateitwithribbonsandpaintedeggshells.Legendsaidshewouldliveaslongasthetree.Bridesinthecountrysidecarryontheveryoldcustomofwearingawreathofrosemary,whichsymbolizesremembrance.Thewreathiswovenforeachbrideonherweddingevebyherfriendsasawishforwisdom,love,andloyalty.
捷克共和国:朋友们溜进新娘的院子去种一棵树,然后再用彩带和彩绘的蛋壳将树加以装饰。传说新娘将与这树活得一样长。乡村的新娘还保留着佩带迷迭香花环的古老习俗,以表怀念之情。花环是在婚礼前夕由新娘的朋友编织而成,它象征着智慧、爱情和忠诚。
Egypt:Families,ratherthangrooms,proposetothebride.InEgypt,manymarriagesarearranged.Thezaffa,orweddingmarch,isamusicalprocessionofdrums,bagpipes,horns,bellydancers,andmencarryingflamingswords;itannouncesthatthemarriageisabouttobegin.
埃及:在埃及,由新郎的家人,而不是新郎本人,向新娘求婚。许多婚姻还是父母之命,媒妁之言。Zaffa,也就是婚礼,其实是一个充满音乐的列队游行,有鼓、风笛、号角及肚皮舞,男人们手持火红的剑。这个仪式宣告,婚姻即将开始。
England:Traditionally,thevillagebrideandherweddingpartyalwayswalktogethertothechurch.Leadingtheprocession:asmallgirlstrewing,blossomsalongtheroad,sothebride"spaththroughlifewillalwaysbehappyandladenwithflowers.
英格兰:按照传统,乡村的新娘和参加婚礼的人们总是一起步行走向教堂。一个小姑娘走在队列最前面,她一路抛撒鲜花,预示着新娘一生的道路上也将开满鲜花,永远幸福。
Finland:Bridesweargoldencrowns.Afterthewedding,unmarriedwomendanceinacirclearoundtheblindfoldedbride,waitingforhertoplacehercrownonsomeone"shead.Itisthoughtthatwhoevershecrownswillbethenexttowed.Thebrideandgroomhaveseatsofhonoratthereception.Thebrideholdsasievecoveredwithasilkshawl;whentheguestsslipmoneyintothesieve,theirnamesandtheamountsgivenareannouncedtothoseassembledbyagroomsman.
芬兰:新娘头戴金色的花冠。婚礼后,未婚妇女围着被蒙住眼睛的新娘跳舞,等着新娘将她头上的花冠戴到某个人的头上。被新娘戴上花冠的人被认为是下一个要结婚的人。新娘和新郎坐在婚宴的贵宾席上,新娘手持一个筛子,筛子上盖有一块丝绸披巾。当来宾们将钱塞进筛子时,一个伴郎会向在场的来宾宣布放钱的来宾姓名以及礼金的数额。
Greece:Thekoumbaros,traditionallythegroom"sgodfather,isanhonoredguestwhoparticipatesintheweddingceremony.Today,thekoumbarosisveryoftenthebestman,whoassistsinthecrowningofthecouple(withwhiteorgoldcrown,orwithcrownsmadeofeverlastingflowers,oroftwigsofloveandvinewrappedinsilverandgoldpaper),andinthecirclingofthealtarthreetimes.OtherattendantsmayreadScripture,holdcandles,packthecrownsinaspecialboxaftertheceremony.Tobesureofa"sweetlife",aGreekbridemaycarryalumpofsugarinhergloveonweddingday.
希腊:通常是新郎的教父,担任婚礼上的嘉宾,现在嘉宾常常由伴郎担任,其职责是协助新郎新娘戴上花冠(花冠有白色和金色的,花冠由四季开放的鲜花,或由用金色或银色的纸包起来的象征爱情的树枝和藤编织而成)。戴上花冠后,新人们围着圣坛绕三圈。别的出席婚礼的人则朗读《圣经》,手持蜡烛,并在婚礼后将花冠放置在一个特殊的盒子里。为了确保婚后生活的甜蜜,希腊新娘在结婚那一天,可在手套里塞一块糖。
Korea:Ducksareincludedintheweddingprocessionbecauseducksmateforlife.Thegroomoncetraveledtothebride"shouseonawhitepony,bearingfidelitysymbols--agraygooseandgander.
韩国:在婚礼行列中会包括鸭子,因为鸭子总是终身相伴。过去,新郎骑一匹小白马去新娘家,并带上一对象征着忠诚的灰色的雌鹅和雄鹅。
Malaysia:Thegroom"sgiftstothebridearedeliveredtoherhomebycostumedchildreninanoisyprocession,carryinglavishtraysoffoodandcurrencyfoldedintoanimalorflowershapes.Eachweddingguestisgivenabeautifullydecoratedhard-boiledegg,asymboloffertility.
马来西亚:新郎赠送给新娘的礼物由盛装打扮的孩子们组成的热闹队伍送过去,孩子们捧着许多盛有食物和用钱折叠成的动物和花卉形状的托盘。每位参加婚礼的来宾都获赠一个装饰精美的煮熟了的鸡蛋,它是生育的象征。
Mexico:A"lasso"averylargerosary,iswoundaroundthecouple"sshouldersandhandsduringtheceremonytoshowtheunionandprotectionofmarriage.GuestsatmanyMexicanweddingsgatheraroundthecoupleinaheart-shapedringatthereception,perhapsbeforethefirstdance.
墨西哥:在婚礼上,新婚夫妇的肩膀和手被一串很大的念珠(“套索”)所缠绕,表示双方的结合和对婚姻的保护。在许多墨西哥人的婚礼上,在第一支舞曲前,来宾们围绕着新婚夫妇站成一个心形的圈。
Morocco:AsinotherMuslimcountries,fivedaysbeforethewedding,thebridehasaceremonialbath,thenispaintedwithhennaswirlsonhandsandfeet,andadornedwithmakeupandjewelsbyotherwomen.Beforebecomingguardianofherhearth,theMoroccanbridecircleshermarriagehomethreetimes.
摩洛哥:同其他一些穆斯林国家一样,摩洛哥新娘在婚礼举行前5天,要有一次正式的沐浴。沐浴之后,由别的一些女人为其在手上和脚上染上指甲花汗,并为其化妆和戴上珠宝。摩洛哥新娘要围着新家环绕3次之后,才能成为家庭的护卫人。
Norway:Twosmallfirtreesaresetoneithersideofthedoortothecouple’shouseuntiltheyareblessedwithachild.Thefolkbridalcostumeisnotcompletewithoutsterlingsilverjewelryandagoldandsilvercrownedgedwithsmallsilverspoon-shapedbangles,whosetinklingsoundswerethoughttowardofevilspirits.Thebride“dancesoff”thiscrownattheweddingfeast.
挪威:新婚夫妇的房门两旁放置两棵小冷杉树,直至新婚夫妇喜得贵子。完美的挪威民间新娘服饰必须有纯银首饰和一顶金银王冠,王冠的边缘饰有匙状小银片,人们认为这些银片发出的丁当声可以驱除恶魔。新娘在婚宴上要跳舞把王冠“跳下”。
Pakistan:Thebride’sfamilystringshundredsofbrightlycoloredlightsaroundthehouseinanticipationofthewedding.Thebrideleavesherfamilytojoinherhusband’sfamilywiththeHolyKoranheldoverherhead.
巴基斯坦:新娘的家人为迎接婚礼,在房子上挂上数百盏明亮的彩灯。新娘离开娘家去婆家前要头顶《古兰经》。Philippines:Awhitesilkcordisdrapedaroundthecouple’sshoulderstoindicatetheirunion.Abell-shapedcagehousingwhitedoves(symbolizingpeace)isafavoredweddingdecoration.Atawell-timedmoment,thebrideandgroompullonribbonstreamerstoreleasethebirds,asend-offintotheirnewlives.
菲律宾:新人的肩上搭绕着一根白色的丝线以示他们的结合。婚礼上,人们喜欢在钟形的笼子里装上白色的鸽子(象征和平)作为装饰品。在适合的时刻,新娘新郎扯下彩带,放飞鸽子,作为他们新生活的使者。
Poland:Receptionguestscustomarilybuyadancewiththebridebypiningmoneytoherveiloftuckingbillsintoaspecialbridalpursetobuildahoneymoonfund.Luckcomesofthebridewhodrinksaglassofwineatthecelebrationwithoutspillingadrop.
波兰:出席婚礼的宾客要将钱别在新娘的面纱上或者将钱塞入新娘的一个特殊钱包里,以此来“买”得与新娘共舞一曲,而新娘则可以将这些钱积攒起来以供蜜月之用。如果新娘能够在婚礼上滴酒不漏地喝光一杯葡萄酒,幸运就会降临于新娘。
Switzerland:Apinetree,whichsymbolizesluckandfertility,isplantedatthecouple’snewhome.Aftervows,thebride’sfloralwreath,whichsymbolizeshermaidenhood,isremovedandsetafirebythemistressofceremonies.It’sconsideredluckyifitburnsquickly.
瑞士:新婚夫妇的新家里会种上一棵松树,象征着运气和生育。婚礼宣誓后,象征着新娘少女身份的花环要由婚礼的女主持人取下烧掉。如果花环很快燃烧起来,这被认为是幸运的事。
Ukraine:Amockcaptureofthebrideiscarriedoutatweddingreceptionstoremindeveryonepresentofthemanytimestheirhomelandwasinvaded.Insteadofcake,Ukrainiancouplessharekorovai,asacredweddingbreaddecoratedwithsymbolicmotifsthatrepresenteternityandthejoiningtogetheroftwofamilies.
乌克兰:在婚宴上,人们要模拟抓获新娘,以此来提醒婚礼的来宾,他们的祖国曾多次被入侵。乌克兰夫妇要分享一种饰有象征永恒和两家合一主题的圣餐婚礼面包,而不是常见的婚礼蛋糕。
Scotland:Friendscarryonanoldgood-naturedcustom:theywashthefeetofboththebrideandgroom,preparingthemtosetoffonanewpath.Thesworddance,similartoanIrishjigofaHighlandfling,isusuallyperformedataScottishweddinggathering.
苏格兰:朋友们沿袭着一个善意的古老习俗:为新娘和新郎洗脚,让他们踏上新的人生旅途。在苏格兰的婚礼上,人们还经常表演剑舞——一种类似爱尔兰吉格舞的苏格兰舞。
Sweden:Thebridemayplaceasilvercoinfromherfatherinherleftshoe;agoldcoinfromhermotherinherrightshoe,soshe"llneverdowithout.Hershoesareunfastened--symbolizingeasychildbirthinthefuture.Swedishwiveswearthreeweddingrings:forbetrothal,formarriage,and,andformotherhood.
瑞典:新娘在左脚的鞋子里放上一枚父亲给的银币,在右鞋里放上一枚母亲给的金币,这样她就永远不会缺钱花。鞋子的带子松着不系,象征将来顺利分娩。瑞典的妻子们都戴3枚结婚戒指:订婚的、结婚的和已做母亲的。
Italy:Ribbonssignifythetyingtogetheroftwolives.Aribbonistiedacrossthefrontofthechurchdoortosymbolizetheweddingbond.Weddingguestshaveforcenturiestossedconfetti(sugaredalmonds)atthenewlyweds.Sometimes,thesedecorateeachplaceatreceptiontables—prettylittleporcelainboxesortullebagscalledbombonony,whicharepersonalizedwiththecouple’snameandweddingdate—tosymbolizethesweet(sugar)andbitter.
意大利:彩带意味着两个人的结合。在教堂的门前新婚夫妇扔甜杏仁。有时,人们还用饰有新婚夫妇姓名和结婚日期的漂亮的小瓷盘或者软薄的绸纱袋来装饰待客桌,以此象征着同甘共苦。
Russia:Weddingguestsdon’tonlygivepresents—theygetthem!Thebridegivesfriendsandrelativesfavorsofsweets.Theygivehermoneyafterthewedding.AfterthecouplearecrownedinaRussianOrthodoxceremony,theracetostandonawhiterug.Itisbelievedthatwhoeverstepsonitfirstwillbethemasterofthehousehold.
俄罗斯:婚礼的宾客不仅送给新婚夫妇礼物,他们还可以从新婚夫妇那里获得礼物。新娘送给朋友和亲戚甜点,婚礼后这些朋友和亲戚再送给新娘钱。在俄罗斯的东正教婚礼仪式上,新婚夫妇被宣布结为夫妇后,要赛跑至一块白色地毯上。人们认为谁先踏上地毯,谁就将成为一家之主。
Spain:Thegroomgivesthirteencoinstothebride,symbolizinghisabilitytosupportandcareforher.Duringtheceremony,shecarriestheminaspecialpurse,orayounggirlcarriesthemonapilloworhandkerchief.Weddingguestsdanceasequidillasmanchegasatthereception,duringwhicheachguestpresentsthebridewithagift.
西班牙:新郎向新娘赠送13枚硬币以表示他有能力供养和照顾她。在婚礼上,新娘带着这些装入一个特殊的钱袋里的硬币,或放在枕头上或手绢里由一个小姑娘捧着。出席婚礼的客人跳一种叫sequidillasmanchegas的舞蹈,其间,每个客人向新娘献上一份礼物。