Something Old, Something New
Something old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue and a Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe. This good luck saying dates back to the Victorian times and for many if not all brides this is a wedding law.
So for those of you that will do it because you feel you have to but don’t really know why here’s the meaning behind it all.
Something Old represents the solid foundation of the grooms family line that the bride enters into, and assures it will continue. Some folklore also claims the something old item represents that the couple’s old friends will continue to be loyal. Still other versions attribute this to mean a bride will retain her love and loyalty for her own family after marriage. This can be anything from jewellery to a simple antique handkerchief.
Something New represents good fortune and success and her hopes for a bright future in her new life. The wedding gown is the most popular choice for the new item.
Something Borrowed is to remind the bride that friends and family will be there for her when help is needed. “Borrowing” is especially important, since it is to come from a happily married woman, thereby lending the bride some of her own marital bliss to carry into the new union.
Something Blue is the symbol of faithfulness and loyalty. The most popular blue item is the garter. Brides of ancient Israel wore blue ribbons on the border of their wedding cloths to denote, love, modesty and fidelity. These are ideals still associated today with that colour.
A Silver Sixpence in her Shoe is to wish the bride wealth. Some brides still place a penny in their shoe during the marriage ceremony. This bridal custom is the most purely symbolic custom of all and its meaning has remained unchanged throughout the years.
