Perhaps the wedding veil is the most symbolic piece of bridal ornament regarding a traditional bride. There are many myths in regard to the history of the wedding veil and its origin can be traced back centuries, even predating the wedding dress by many hundreds of years. Here is a look at the story behind the veil and the reason why it continues to be worn today.
The wedding veil was a custom rooted in the belief that a bride was vulnerable to evil spirits and in need of protection from them. As for Romans of ancient times, a bride would wear a fire or flame designed veil so as to frighten away vindictive spirits who would be jealous of her happiness and might kidnap the wife-to-be before she could be delivered to her groom. The interesting thing is the Roman word used to indicate a woman marrying is “nubo” which can be literally translated as “I veil myself”.
In ancient Mesopotamia and Persian cultures, a husband-to-be was required to cover a veil over his bride’s face in order to declare that she now was his wife. The law of that time also clearly defined who could be veiled and who couldn’t, so being embellished with a veil might be a privilege. For example, it was stated in the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi in 1790 B.C. that only high-class, free women were allowed to wear a veil when getting married while slaves, low-class women and prostitutes were forbidden to be veiled.
The veil was also used in arranged marriage during Middle Ages to obscure the bride’s features and not until the ceremony was over did the groom could lift it up. This was mainly to ensure the groom might not back out from the deal in case he was not satisfied with her appearance.
In Christian religion, the meaning behind the veil at first symbolized modesty and obedience. As time passed by, it followed suit when white bridal gowns were worn to signify chastity. And by lifting up the bride’s veil, the groom could state his “possession” of his wife.
The veil became very small by the mid-20th century, sometime just covering the bride’s eyes and coordinating with the simpler of wedding dresses. It could be attached to the bride’s hat or even secured to her hair with a comb.
Nowadays, the veil no longer has it superstitious affiliations and is instead embraced for its association with bridal accessories which can “top off” the bride’s outfit.
No matter what the origins, the veil has evolved over time and become a fundamental component of the traditional bridal attire. Therefore, choose a veil coordinating perfectly with your wedding dress and enjoy your special day – a day to be remembered for a lifetime.
As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of wedding traditions and their historical underpinnings, let me delve into the fascinating world of wedding veils and their intricate history.
The wedding veil, arguably the most symbolic piece of bridal ornamentation for a traditional bride, has a rich history that extends back centuries. My expertise in this domain allows me to shed light on the various cultural nuances and beliefs that have shaped the evolution of the wedding veil.
The concept of the wedding veil finds its roots in ancient customs and superstitions, primarily rooted in the belief that a bride was vulnerable to evil spirits and required protection. Take, for instance, the Romans, who adorned brides with fire or flame-designed veils to ward off jealous spirits that could potentially harm the bride's happiness or even kidnap her before reaching the groom. The linguistic connection between the Roman word for a woman marrying, "nubo," meaning "I veil myself," adds a linguistic dimension to this practice.
Moving on to Mesopotamia and Persian cultures, where a husband-to-be covered his bride's face with a veil to signify her transition into his wife, we encounter the legal dimension of veiling. The Babylonian Code of Hammurabi in 1790 B.C. explicitly dictated that only high-class, free women were entitled to wear a veil during marriage, while slaves, low-class women, and prostitutes were forbidden this privilege.
During the Middle Ages, the veil took on a role in arranged marriages, obscuring the bride's features until the ceremony's conclusion. This precaution ensured that the groom could not back out of the deal if dissatisfied with the bride's appearance.
In the Christian tradition, the veil initially symbolized modesty and obedience, later adopting connotations of purity with the advent of white bridal gowns. The act of lifting the bride's veil became a symbolic gesture of the groom asserting his "possession" of his wife.
The mid-20th century witnessed a shift in the size of veils, with some merely covering the bride's eyes and coordinating with simpler wedding dresses. The veil's evolution continued, shedding its superstitious associations and transforming into a cherished accessory that complements the bride's overall attire.
In contemporary times, veils are chosen not for their superstitious affiliations but for their role as an essential component of traditional bridal attire. The message here is clear: choose a veil that perfectly complements your wedding dress to enhance the magic of your special day, a day destined to be etched in memory forever.
As an expert in this realm, I can recommend exploring TGW's wide selection of veils, meticulously designed to complement your dream gown, ranging from cathedral to 10 meters long to suit your chosen venue. Trust in the evolution of tradition and embrace the veil as a timeless accessory that adds a touch of magic to your wedding day.
