“Something old, something new…”

No matter if it was in a TV series, a movie, a song or at a wedding ceremony, we have all heard about the custom which says that the bride has to wear “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” at her wedding ceremony. This custom is the most common it he USA and Great Britain, and it is derived from a rhyme which originates from Old England. While the brides to be search for these items to wear at the wedding, let us see what this custom actually represents.

According to the old rhyme, the bride has to wear “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe.” All of these are considered to be there for good luck, as a form of charms for the bride, even though the silver sixpence belongs to this custom only in some parts of Great Britain.

Each of the items has a certain meaning: something old is there to represent lasting and continuity, something new represents the optimistic view of the future, something borrowed is a symbol of the happiness the bride borrows from someone with a happy marriage, and something blue is a symbol of fidelity and spousal love. The silver sixpence represents prosperity and good fortune, but as already mentioned – it is a custom which remains mostly in Great Britain.

The items from the rhyme are usually small gifts from the bride’s loved ones – her mother, sister, maid of honor, friends or relatives. Of course, the bride can buy these items herself as well, and no matter how they find their way to her – they are supposed to bring good fortune on the wedding day and during the marriage.