Since
early Roman times some grain - usually wheat - has been
associated with the wedding ceremony. The basis for the
predominant theory as to why rice and other grains, such
as wheat, have played a prominent role in marriage ceremonies
for centuries, is that they are fraught with symbolism
of fertility and of prosperity. By throwing rice at the
bride and groom at a wedding, guests symbolically wish
them a lifetime full of these blessings.
Historically,
in certain primitive tribal cultures, the mere act of
supping on rice together bound a couple in matrimony,
as eating this local food together implied their living
together. In other cultures, the symbolic eating of rice
together preceded a shower of rice over the married couple.
Perhaps
the most curious use of rice in the wedding ceremony,
was its use in some cultures not to unite the happy couple,
but to feed the uninvited evil spirits who always attended
the ceremony. The rationale behind this practice was to
ward off evil, as well-fed evil spirits would bring no
harm to the blissful couple.
In
early Roman times, wheat was the grain of choice for the
wedding ceremony, as wheat, not rice, symbolized fertility.
The virginal bride carried a sheaf of wheat in her hand
throughout the ceremony, or wore a garland of wheat in
her hair. Instead of the bride tossing a bouquet, as is
traditionally done today, wedding guests tossed grains
of wheat at her, and young, single girls clambered for
the grains that bounced off of the young bride, believing
that these grains could ensure them a trip down the bridal
path soon thereafter.
The
wheat tossing custom fell by the wayside under the reign
of Queen Elizabeth I of England, when the once airborne
wheat instead was baked into small cakes, which the guests
then crumbled and tossed over the bride's head. Even this
tradition gave way to another, in which a large wheat
cake was baked, then eaten, not tossed. Wedding guests,
literally left empty-handed, had no recourse but to find
a suitable substitute for the costly wheat cakes. They
needed something to toss at the bride to reinstate themselves
as active participants in the ceremony. The natural choice
was none other than cheap, clean, white rice, and the
tradition then born has stuck to this day.
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