Blessings, luck and omens
Rice and petals, the broom, the horseshoe, the broken glass and other ways of asking for luck.
A wedding is a time when people ask for luck. Rice and petals are thrown, bells rung, a horseshoe hung, a glass broken, a coconut cracked. Many of these customs began as a wish for children, wealth or protection from harm, and they remain because they are fun, meaningful and shared.
Throwing and showering
Rice is thrown at the couple in many parts of the world as a wish for fertility and plenty, and in some places is replaced by petals or birdseed. Italian weddings use confetti sugared almonds, and Moroccan guests shower the couple with dates and milk. Indian brides throw rice behind them as they leave, to give back to the parental home. In Ukraine and Russia guests may throw grain, coins and sweets.
Protection against harm
Many cultures guard against the evil eye or jealous spirits. The Jewish groom breaks a glass, in the Greek wedding the bride may carry a lump of sugar, and in Scotland the blackening of the bride is a boisterous prank. In China firecrackers scare off bad luck, and in Iran a sugar cone is rubbed above the couple's heads. In parts of Africa libations pour water or drink to the ancestors.
Omens and dates
Weather, day and month can also be omens. Rain on the day is lucky in many places, from Hindu communities who see it as a blessing to Western brides who say it is good luck. Dates are chosen by astrologers in India, by the lunar calendar in China, and avoided in Lent, Ramadan or the Omer, when weddings are not held by custom.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Background on Blessings, luck and omens (kind of custom). Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
🇯🇵 JapanTamagushitamagushi (玉串)
A decorated sakaki branch offered to kami during Shinto wedding ceremonies and other rites.Rite · The ceremony
🇨🇳 China and 3 moreMarriage coin charm夫妇和合花钱 (fū fù hé hé huā qián)
Numismatic amulets from East Asia that carry wedding blessings and fertility symbols.Adornment · Engagement and betrothal
🇯🇵 Tokyo, JapanShinto wedding神前結婚 (Shinzen kekkon)
A Shinto purification ritual featuring sake sharing and kimono attire held at a shrine or venue.Rite · The ceremony
🇨🇳 ChinaJiaobeijiu交杯酒
The ancient Chinese rite of sharing wine from linked cups to seal a marriage.Rite · The ceremony
🇨🇳 ChinaHonggaitou紅蓋頭
The red bridal veil worn by Han Chinese brides to cover their faces before the wedding night.Attire · Procession and arrival
🇰🇷 South KoreaHwarot활옷
The embroidered Korean gown worn by brides during the pyebaek ceremony.Attire · Reception, dance and gifts
🇰🇷 South Korea and 1 morePyebaek폐백
A Korean post-ceremony ritual where the couple bows to the groom's parents and shares symbolic foods.Blessing · After the wedding
🇨🇳 China and 3 moreDouble Happiness双喜 (shuāngxǐ)
The red calligraphy symbol made of two joy characters that marks Chinese wedding celebrations.Adornment · The weeks before
🇯🇵 JapanTsunokakushi角隠し
A white silk headdress worn by Shinto brides to cover the hairline and symbolize modesty.Attire · The ceremony
🇰🇷 Jeju, South KoreaJeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut제주 칠머리당영등굿
A Jeju Island shaman ritual welcoming the goddess of the sea with horse-head posts and lanterns at the Korean New Year.Blessing · The weeks before
🇨🇳 Fuzhou, China and 2 moreOil-Paper Umbrella油紙傘
A protective canopy shielding the bride from harm and blessing the marriageBlessing · Procession and arrival
🇨🇳 ChinaZaju chuishao fu杂裾垂髾服
A layered hanfu style worn by elite Chinese women, featuring wide sleeves and flowing ribbon hems.Attire
🇨🇳 ChinaPhoenix crown凤冠 (Fèngguān)
A traditional Chinese bridal headdress adorned with pearls, gemstones and kingfisher feathers.Attire · The ceremony
🇨🇳 China and 4 moreCloud collar云肩 (yúnjiān)
A detachable shoulder collar worn by Han Chinese brides to frame the face and symbolize cosmic order.Attire · The weeks before
🇲🇳 MongoliaBiyelgeeБиелгээ / Бий
A seated Mongolian dance that mimics herder life through upper-body movement and traditional instruments.Performance · The wedding feast
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Shinto wedding: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Zaju chuishao fu: Gary Todd, CC0, source
- Tamagushi: Urashimataro, Public domain, source
- Tsunokakushi: Flickr user Photocapy, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Phoenix crown: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Honggaitou: kanegen, CC BY 2.0, source
- Hwarot: Unknown author, No restrictions, source
- Cloud collar: Unknown author, CC0, source
- Pyebaek: halfGoku, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Biyelgee: J bayarmagnai, CC0, source
- Double Happiness: kanegen, CC BY 2.0, source
- Marriage coin charm: Scott Semans, CC BY 3.0, source
- Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut: by karendotcom127, CC BY 2.0, source
- Oil-Paper Umbrella: Richard, CC BY 2.0, source