Wedding Superstitions in the Philippines
One of my favorite topics to write about are superstitions. I’m not a superstitious person myself but there’s just something interesting about how people come up with such ‘warnings’ as well as the aftermath you could ‘suffer’ with if you decided not to follow them.
Since June is considered as the ‘wedding month, we’ll be talking about wedding superstition and beliefs here in the Philippines.
Wearing a veil
A veil is more than just a beauty ornament for the bride on her special day. Originating all the way from Rome, this custom of the bride wearing a veil on her wedding day protects her from any wandering evil spirits who’s jealous of her happiness.
Sukob
I’m not really sure if there’s a direct English translation for this one but basically, when siblings of the family are wed on the same year that is called sukob. It is believed that all the prosperity and good luck one would get are going to be divided among the siblings. It is also considered as a bad luck to postpone the wedding of one sibling to give way to the other. So, if you have plans of getting married, better yet to inform your family ahead of time to avoid sukob.
The Bride Should Not Fit Her Dress before the Wedding Day
Brides who try to wear their wedding gown before the actual wedding day is doomed to have bad luck or worse, the act might cause the wedding to be postponed or cancelled. So, no matter how excited you are, do not ever attempt to slip inside your traje de boda.
Just to be sure about the fitting, take your final measurements one or two weeks before the wedding day, and make sure you don’t lose and gain large weight during that time.
No to Pearls
According to the myth, pearls are believed to be ‘tears of oysters’ that’s why brides who wear pearls on their wedding day will have a miserable marriage life.
No Peeking
The couples are also prohibited to see each other before exchanging ‘I Dos’ to prevent bad luck to happen like the wedding being cancelled. This belief dates back from when arrange marriages are rampant and the husbands will call off the wedding when they found their wives unattractive.
Rain
Many people would be bummed out if there’s a heavy downpour on their special day but not in the Philippines! Rain is considered as good luck and blessing when it rains on your wedding day. It also symbolizes fertility and cleansing so if you want to have your first-born already, pray that it will rain on your parade!
Crying on Your Wedding Day
Don’t be shy to shed tears during your nuptial as it is considered as a good luck as well. It is believed that the bride has shed all the tears during that moment and won’t cry as much during her married life so go ahead and create waterworks on your special day! Here’s a tip: wear a waterproof mascara!
Travelling Isn’t Allowed
It is believed that soon-to-be-wed couples are prone to accidents that’s why they are prohibited from travelling to places. It is best to save that road trip on your honeymoon!
Tight and Loose Wedding Ring
A loose ring signifies that the marriage won’t last long while a tight fit means a lot of jealousy, feeling constrained or restricted and thus will result in complex marital problems. So before tying the knot, make sure that the rings are perfect fit for a long and happy married life!
Do Not Drop the Ring
Speaking of rings, it is also a big no-no to drop the ring during the ceremony. A dropped ring is a bad omen that someone in the family with die soon.
Standing Up Together
Speaking of death, couples should stand up together after the ceremony. Otherwise, the person who stands up first will be the first one to go as well.
Candles
It seems that Filipinos have associated death with lots of wedding elements. Candles are lighted during the ceremony and are placed beside the bride and groom by the sponsors. Whoever’s candle will burn out will die first before his or her partner.
Throwing Rice at the Newlywed Couple
Rice is the Filipino’s staple food. It also brings good luck to married couple who just tied the knot. Aside from confetti and flower petals, rice is also thrown to the married couple for a prosperous and wealthy life.
Breaking Glass
Don’t be surprised if your hear glasses shattering after a wedding ceremony. There’s no fight, I assure you. Breaking glass after a wedding ceremony is also considered as good luck as the number of shards represents the number of years the couple will be together.
Other form of this superstition is that if someone accidentally breaks a plate or glassware during the reception, it will bring good luck for the married couple.
Do not give Knives and Clocks as Gifts
If you are wondering what is the best gift for someone who is about to get married? Well, cross out knives and other sharp objects on the list as wrapping them as wedding gifts signifies a broken relationship and bad luck.
Similarly, you shouldn’t hand out clocks as wedding presents, no matter how pretty or elegant they look. It means that you are waiting for the couple to die. Not a great wedding message, I might say.
Road to Happily Ever After
Even though these superstitions don’t have any scientific bases, they are still passed down generation after generation, from our great, great grandmothers down to our moms, and now to you, preserving our rich Filipino culture that could be traced back hundreds of years ago, back to the time when the Spaniards ruled our lands and shores.
We have achieved our independence from our colonizers at present date, and is continuing and growing to be one of the most progressive countries in Asia, but these beliefs and superstitions is one of the foundations of we are, as a Filipino.
Albeit these superstitions and beliefs do not have any scientific bases, there’s no harm in following them, right? But for good measure, for fun, and for a happily ever after, it’s fine to heed them.
Go ahead, and live a long, happy, marriage!
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