Have you ever been told by your elders not to do this or that upon learning that you are planning to get married? I think every Filipino couple who are about to get married can relate to this. Some elders can be lenient about it, but there are those who really insist and will get mad once you disobey. In this post, I gathered the most common wedding superstitious beliefs Filipinos, especially the elders, believe.
Sukob
The couple’s marriage life will be cursed if siblings get married or if the wedding pushed through despite a death in the family within a year.
Gown-fitting should be avoided
The wedding may not push through if the bride fitted her gown so brides are discouraged (or, perhaps forced) from fitting their finished gowns. Fitting an unfinished gown (no beadings, buttons, etc. yet) is acceptable to some.
Avoid traveling
Couples who are planning to get married should avoid long-distance travels three to six months before their wedding date as they are prone to accident.
Avoid pearl jewelries
Pearls signify tears so the bride needs to avoid pearl jewelries. This came from the belief that pearls are “tears of oysters”.
No meeting
Couples shouldn’t see each other the day before the wedding for it will bring bad luck to their marriage life.
Prohibited primary sponsors
People who are unmarried, widow and widower shouldn’t be asked to stand as primary sponsors during a wedding.
A groom should…
get to church first to avoid bad luck. He should also let the bride sit first to prevent him from becoming “under the saya”.
A bride should…
Step into the groom’s feet when they meet in the altar so the groom will always obey the wife during their marriage life.
Something, something
On the wedding day, the bride should have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. They said something old (like an heirloom engagement ring) represents continuity of the past moving to the future, something new represents new life after the wedding, something borrowed should be from a couple you look up to and something blue represents love, good fortune and fidelity.
No to the month of February and August
Since there are only 28 days in February, elders believe your marriage life will be “kulang” (lacking) if you choose to get married on the month of love. August, on the other hand, is a ghost month so this month is usually avoided as well.
Numbers
The couple should choose a wedding date with a number with upward stroke like 0, 5 and 8. The number 8 symbolizes infinity, and eternity when it comes to marriage.
Bouquet
A single woman who catches the bridal bouquet will be the next bride.
Doves
Doves in the reception should be able to fly freely, and marriage life will be happy if the doves will fly together at the same time
There really is no scientific evidence nor law regarding these beliefs however, others believe that there is nothing to lose when these beliefs are followed. Our take? Whatever floats your boat. If you do not give a damn about these beliefs, then you can choose to ignore them. However, if you are a paranoid-type of bride/groom, then by all means, follow. Just make sure that you are comfortable with your gown on the first day of your life as man and wife.
Do you have other beliefs to add? Feel free to comment below…
been looking for sukob article. Thankyou