William Penn Life, 2016 (51. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2016-06-01 / 6. szám
A brief history of the weddin MYSTIC SIGNIFICANCE has been associated with the wedding ring from the earliest times. Its circular continuity is accepted as a symbol of eternity and of the stability of affection. However, wedding rings were little valued until the Greeks gave them deeper significance. Greek and Roman rings often inscribed with phrases like, "May you live long," "I bring good fortune to the wearer," "Live happy" or "I give this love pledge." In the middle ages, rings symbolized solemn betrothal preceding matrimony and were sometimes exchanged between lovers who were about to separate for long Continued on Page 32 most likely follows the couple from the courthouse to the church. Today, Hungarian weddings are generally less formal and rehearsed than in the U.S., but they follow a simpler, similar format. During the church ceremony, the couple sits on a platform at the front of church with their witnesses seated nearby. Guests approach the couple to tell stories about them, read a poem, sing a song, recall a remembrance and officially wish them well. It is still customary today for the engaged couple to wear their wedding rings on their left hand during their engagement, and at the conclusion of the church ceremony, switch their rings to their right hands. In keeping with tradition, the bride presents the groom with a gift of either three or seven handkerchiefs-both 3 and 7 are lucky numbers-and the groom traditionally presents his bride with a small bag of coins. As the couple leaves the church, wedding gifts are presented to them, but care must be taken to keep track of what each guest gives as it is customary for the couple to give a similar gift the next time the gift-giver has a special occasion that calls for a present. Since in Hungary the family name comes first and the personal name follows, the bride's name is often the husband's with a "-né" added to her name. Today, however, the prevalent trend is for the bride to keep her maiden name. At the wedding reception, there is an endless supply of food, often flavored with paprika, which is believed to possess almost magical properties. The meal starts with a thin broth soup—usually containing cooked noodles, vegetables and meats-followed by chicken paprikás, beef gulyás, Soproni wedding soup, cold cherry soup and stuffed cabbage. To conclude the meal, a choice of ten desserts are usually offered, including elaborate bar cookies, pastries and lavishly decorated wedding cakes. The practice of the bride and groom feeding each other cake is not traditional in Hungary; instead the main wedding cake is served to the guests by the couple. There will be much singing, dancing, music and drinking. When the couple dances their first dance, a ring of dancers forms to dance around them in a "circle dance." Even today, traditional folk dances and gypsy music are popular at wedding receptions, and the violin is still the most favored musical instrument there. As the evening progresses, the bride's father or the best man announces that the bride is "for sale" as it is customary for the new bride to dance a "money dance" where male guests "pay" to dance with the bride, either pinning money to her dress or dropping money into her shoes which remain in the middle of the dance floor. Guests are expected to be generous when "paying" for a dance with the bride as this money will be used by the couple to pay for their honeymoon or to set up their new home. Guest books are circulated among the guests during the reception and usually a page of good wishes accompanies each entry in the books, which are treasured long afterwards. Often, the wishes include quotes from "A Treasury of Hungarian Love Poems, Quotations, and Proverbs in Hungarian and English" by authors Continued on Page 32 Marriage advice from Zsa Zsa Gabor Hungarian icon Zsa Zsa Gabor—who turned 99 this year—is as well known for her nine marriages as she is her acting career. Her witticisms on men and marriage are quoted on posters and in books and have become part of feminist girl-talk. The following are some of my favorite Zsa Zsa quotes: IP Husbands are like fires-they go out when unattended. IP How many husbands have I had? You mean apart from my own? IP I am a marvelous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man, I keep his house. IP I believe in large families; every woman should have at least three husbands. IP I never hated a man enough to give him his diamonds back IP Dahling, any intelligent woman can find her target and she can marry him. IP We were both in love with him. I fell out of love with him, but he didn't. IP A girl must marry for love and keep on marrying until she finds it. IP A man in love is incomplete until he has married. Then, he’s finished. V Getting divorced just because you don't love a man is almost as silly as getting married just because you do. V Maybe I meet Mr. Right tomorrow. Photo opposite page © Gabriela Insuratelu/ Dreamstime.com - Photo this page © Alexstar/ Dreamstime.c William Penn Life 0 June 2016 0 11
