|
« continued from previous page
|
Mujhe rang de
The relation between colours and ceremonies
|
Green, the colour of fertility and prosperity is the favourite of Maharsahtrian brides who wear dark green sarees with red and gold borders and green bangles symbolising auspiciousness and fertility.
While bright colours are preferred in most communities across India, some communities traditionally marry their bride in white. The Malayali community for eg as well as Assamese, Parsis, Goan,  Manglorean and Christian communities have their brides resplendent in white as they believe white to be a symbol of purity. We see the true beauty in diversity of India when one juxtaposes the symbolism of widowhood attached to the colour white in Hindu culture. Since ancient times white has been equated with purity and chastity in Christianity. Parsis share this view. White for them also symbolises simplicity hence, even if embroidered or lace adorned, the bridal dress is always in white.
Colours play an equally important role globally. The Iranian community also marries their brides in white on the same lines of thought. In ancient Israel, blue was considered the colour of chastity along with white and that was the bridal dress colour. Even today the bride is married in white which signifies spiritual purity and clarity for Israelis and Jews and blue strongly symbolises mystical powers. Blue is also equated with chastity and purity hence the inclusion of 'something blue' for the bride to wear in Christian weddings. Chinese weddings are replete with red which is believed to bring joy and luck. The Japanese bride wears a white silk kimono lined with red, representative of happiness and a new beginning. In Korea, the bride wears a lime-green wonsam or hwarrot is worn over the traditional wedding dress, the hanbok . The womsam and hwarrot are embroidered with flowers and butterflies, and banded with red, symbolising heaven; indigo for earth; and yellow for humanity. The bride's hands are covered in white, the symbol of respect.
Colours take on a personal meaning in Scottish customs where the groom adorns his bride in the colours of his clan to signify her acceptance into his world. Similarly, in Africa the bride is married in the colours that were representative of the village she hails from.
Colours have been associated carefully with other objects and mediums in various ceremonies as well. Yellow marigold flowers, red rose petals and white mogra found abundantly in Indian weddings are a case in point. In Christian beliefs yellow rose petals stand for fertility hence they are showered in generous quantities over the bride and groom. In ancient Greek culture the bride was adorned with crowns of orange blossoms which were meant to represent happiness and fulfillment. In the Vietnamese culture the mother-in-law offers the bride pink chalk as a symbol of a rosy future for the couple.
The list is endless. On an occasion as sublime and spiritual as a wedding, words and voices cannot express adequately the emotions that run deep and the blessings manifold. Hence colours speak a thousand languages all used to bestow one wish on the couple - May you live HAPPILY ever after...
|
|
|
Fatema Kagalwala
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| | John Players Casual T-Shirt for Men | Wills Lifestyle Casual Top For Women | Applique Work Stripes Kurti | | | | Rs.1,380 ($28.67) | | Rs.995 ($20.67) | Rs.1,395 ($28.98) | Rs.1,200 ($24.93) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask our Experts :
Expert Advice, Personality, Immigration (US), Tarot, Hot Couture, Body Care, Matrimonial Laws, Sexual Health, Life, etc, Man vs Woman, Fitness. |
|
 |
|
Furl it
Reddit
