This phenomenon, which originates the foundations of a family, has developed and changed over a thousand years and reached the present day. Although marriage continues at this moment with an established structure, it still continues to change. The main reason for this change is the sociocultural status of societies and the view on marriage. Well, how was marriage applied in history and what were the perspectives? Let’s take a look together.
First some brief information...
It would be useful to provide some brief information first:
● The word love is said to be rooted in the Persian word ‘ashiqah, a vine.
● In the old centuries, courtship meant extending the end. Courtship, as we know it in today’s context was not introduced until the 16th century.
● The oldest known love letter was written on a stone tablet by the wife of Sumer King Su-Sin, who ruled in Mesopotamia in 2,500 BC.
● The first marriage certificate was found in Mesopotamia.
● The reason why honeymoon is called honeymoon is because the relatives who brought only food and honey knew the place of the girls who were kidnapped in Northern Europe.
● Flirting in 1598 meant “to make fun of” while in the following 100-200 years it changed to “call for invite, to court someone".
● As a symbol of fertility, the Romans would throw crumbled wedding cookies to the bride.
● In Rome, the bride and groom would eat the same cookie. This is the roots of the modern wedding cake.
● The Assyrians would make the marriage official by covering the bride's head.
● The Greeks claimed that there was a vein in the ring finger on the left hand. It was said that this vein was a love vein and that it would go all way up to the heart. However, nowadays it is proved that there is no such vein that is special to the ring finger.
Marriage according to societies
Marriage was perceived and practiced in many different ways by societies. Here are the understandings of marriage in some societies:
● China: Marriage in China was not regulated by love, but entirely by families. And all the preparations were made by the families on this occasion. The families would constantly encourage young people to marry.
● Ancient Egypt: Endogamy was practiced in ancient Egypt. The Pharaohs would marry their sisters because of the throne. Because the marriages were conducted in this manner, it had also reflected on to the public. Divorce was rare and female dominance was visible according to other societies.
● Ancient Greece: In ancient Greece love would start after marriage. The groom would buy presents for his mother-in-law and the father of the bride would prepare the dowry.
● Sumerian's: There were many laws and rules in the marriage of Sumerian’s. Whilst the father and mother had equal rights on the children they did not have equal rights amongst each other. If the wife had cheated on her husband she could be sentenced to death or she could not have children he could divorce her.
Apart from these, in many nations and religions marriage has been understood, applied and considered sacred in different forms.
These articles may also be of interest:
What is Premartial Syndrome?
9 Things YOou Need to Know Before You Organize an Engagenment Ceremony