With reference to a Hindu wedding ceremony, describe and explain the many points of symbolism.
With reference to a Hindu wedding ceremony, describe and explain the many points of symbolism.
Ritual is very important within the Hindu religion. If ritual is performed correctly, good karma will follow and if not, the opposite will occur. There are whole books dedicated to ritual such as the Veda, the oldest scripture in the world. Key factors in making the right match include the partner being Hindu, also preferably from the same caste and compatible horoscopically. Also, the horoscopes show what the best date for the wedding to take place is.
Although India is a large country and weddings vary, most key points are shared. In India the wedding itself would be at the bride's home but in England a hall is booked. In preparation for the wedding, henna is used to decorate her hands and feet lasting many weeks symbolising her entry into her marriage. A red spot is painted called a 'tilaka' showing she has been blessed by god. She is wearing a red sari, the colour of happiness, with gold jewellery, the best she can afford and black paint around her eyes called kajal. The groom gives her a ring that she wears on her toe. The groom will wear a kurta-pajana; a lose fitting top and trousers and a veil of beads. The bride and groom's parents will worship Ganesh and the family deities asking them to be present at the wedding and make sure everything goes to plan.
Throughout the ceremony itself the priest keeps a fire burning by pouring ghee into the flames symbolising the presence of the Gods. He also throws rice and spices into the fire symbolising fertility. The bride offers puja to the deities and then goes into a separate room to offer private worship to Parvati and Shiva asking for a long marriage and children, preferably sons. When the groom arrives at the place of the wedding, the bride's mother and the priest meet him at the entrance with a 'sacred light' to ward off any evil spirits. The priest prays to Vishnu and Lakshmi and together, the priest and bride's mother lead the groom into the place of the wedding. The bride's dad then gives him honey symbolising a sweet welcome and the priest recites a mantra from the Yajur-Veda. The bride's family 'give her away' to the groom's family. This can be compared to the Christian Wedding in which the bride's father gives her way to the groom, the difference being, Hindu weddings are not just about the people getting married, but also each of their families who are as much involved. The bride and groom stand facing each other while the priest ties cloth around groom's neck and attaches it to bride's sari representing unity. Then blessings are sung and the guests shower rice over the couple. The father of the bride then places her right hand into the palm of the groom. The father then asks the groom to follow his dharma -religious duty, artha -earning money in an honest manner and karma -the enjoyment of pleasures, with moderation. The groom says to the bride 'I hold your hand in the spirit of the dharma we are both husband and wife'. The wife then steps onto a stone. This symbolises her decision to try to get though all problems they may come across throughout their marriage. Then the couple takes seven steps around the sacred fire (saptapadi); this is essential according to the Law Code of Manu. Each step represents a different thing: food, power, prosperity, wisdom, children, health and friendship. While taking these steps the husband says to the wife 'With utmost love to each other may we walk together...May we make our minds united, of the same vows and of the same thoughts. I am the wind and you are the melody. I am the melody and you are the words' and on the last step the couple say in unison 'Into my will I take thy heart. Thy heart shall follow mine. And the heart of mine be yours'. The bride's bothers pour barley into the couples' hands that are then poured into the scared fire symbolising the fact that they will work together for the benefit of society. The husband then marks his wife's parting with red kum-kum powder. -This is the sign of a married woman. The groom places a black necklace called a mangalsutra around the bride's neck representing the union between the two families. Also, black beads are used to ward off evil spirits. If the wedding is in daytime the couple will look at the sun to be blessed, if it is night-time they will look at the Polestar, asking that their love will shine as bright and last as long. Elders and the priest ending the ceremony then bless the couple and the guests then take part in a huge feast.
Ritual is very important within the Hindu religion. If ritual is performed correctly, good karma will follow and if not, the opposite will occur. There are whole books dedicated to ritual such as the Veda, the oldest scripture in the world. Key factors in making the right match include the partner being Hindu, also preferably from the same caste and compatible horoscopically. Also, the horoscopes show what the best date for the wedding to take place is.
Although India is a large country and weddings vary, most key points are shared. In India the wedding itself would be at the bride's home but in England a hall is booked. In preparation for the wedding, henna is used to decorate her hands and feet lasting many weeks symbolising her entry into her marriage. A red spot is painted called a 'tilaka' showing she has been blessed by god. She is wearing a red sari, the colour of happiness, with gold jewellery, the best she can afford and black paint around her eyes called kajal. The groom gives her a ring that she wears on her toe. The groom will wear a kurta-pajana; a lose fitting top and trousers and a veil of beads. The bride and groom's parents will worship Ganesh and the family deities asking them to be present at the wedding and make sure everything goes to plan.
Throughout the ceremony itself the priest keeps a fire burning by pouring ghee into the flames symbolising the presence of the Gods. He also throws rice and spices into the fire symbolising fertility. The bride offers puja to the deities and then goes into a separate room to offer private worship to Parvati and Shiva asking for a long marriage and children, preferably sons. When the groom arrives at the place of the wedding, the bride's mother and the priest meet him at the entrance with a 'sacred light' to ward off any evil spirits. The priest prays to Vishnu and Lakshmi and together, the priest and bride's mother lead the groom into the place of the wedding. The bride's dad then gives him honey symbolising a sweet welcome and the priest recites a mantra from the Yajur-Veda. The bride's family 'give her away' to the groom's family. This can be compared to the Christian Wedding in which the bride's father gives her way to the groom, the difference being, Hindu weddings are not just about the people getting married, but also each of their families who are as much involved. The bride and groom stand facing each other while the priest ties cloth around groom's neck and attaches it to bride's sari representing unity. Then blessings are sung and the guests shower rice over the couple. The father of the bride then places her right hand into the palm of the groom. The father then asks the groom to follow his dharma -religious duty, artha -earning money in an honest manner and karma -the enjoyment of pleasures, with moderation. The groom says to the bride 'I hold your hand in the spirit of the dharma we are both husband and wife'. The wife then steps onto a stone. This symbolises her decision to try to get though all problems they may come across throughout their marriage. Then the couple takes seven steps around the sacred fire (saptapadi); this is essential according to the Law Code of Manu. Each step represents a different thing: food, power, prosperity, wisdom, children, health and friendship. While taking these steps the husband says to the wife 'With utmost love to each other may we walk together...May we make our minds united, of the same vows and of the same thoughts. I am the wind and you are the melody. I am the melody and you are the words' and on the last step the couple say in unison 'Into my will I take thy heart. Thy heart shall follow mine. And the heart of mine be yours'. The bride's bothers pour barley into the couples' hands that are then poured into the scared fire symbolising the fact that they will work together for the benefit of society. The husband then marks his wife's parting with red kum-kum powder. -This is the sign of a married woman. The groom places a black necklace called a mangalsutra around the bride's neck representing the union between the two families. Also, black beads are used to ward off evil spirits. If the wedding is in daytime the couple will look at the sun to be blessed, if it is night-time they will look at the Polestar, asking that their love will shine as bright and last as long. Elders and the priest ending the ceremony then bless the couple and the guests then take part in a huge feast.
