Marriage in Ancient Egypt
I’ve always been curious about the lack of records regarding how ancient Egyptians celebrated weddings. In fact, scholars believe that families didn’t even perform a ceremony, which strikes me as odd. I don’t know what sources the two reporters from examiner.com used in their articles, excerpted below.
DC Relationship Psychology Examiner Erin Wilson:
The Egyptians considered marriage to be a sacred bond. Couples entered into marriage at a young age (14-17), due to the fact that life expectancy was so short. Women played a significant part in the marriage, and even in the engagement process. As is custom today for a suitor to approach a woman’s father for permission to marry, it was actually the mother who granted permission for marriage in the ancient days of Egypt. Within upper class families, arranged marriages were common; however, love was a pivotal force in the days of Ancient Egypt and it was not uncommon for lovers to runaway together to wed. Because marriage was seen as such a serious union, husbands and wives often referred to one another lovingly as brother and sister. The Ancient Egyptians also had a version of what we now consider a prenuptial agreement. Contracts were often drafted between the father of the bride and the groom, to establish the rights of possessions during a marriage and if a divorce should occur. Overall, there are many indications that husbands and wives in ancient Egypt were often happy and in love.
And Philadelphia Bridal Fashion Examiner Lindsey Hetrick:
A surprising tradition that a lot of people are unfamiliar with is sporting the engagement and wedding baubles on the third finger of the bride’s left hand. Two possible origins to this tradition- ancient Egypt and 17th century Europe. The Egyptians were led to believe that the “vein of love” ran from the ring finger to the heart and having the ring placed there meant everlasting, eternal love. In Europe, during the wedding ceremony the groom would slide the ring partly up the thumb, index and middle finger while the priest said, “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy spirit,” leaving the only finger empty as the ring finger, where the groom placed the ring.
- Traveling Back in Time to see Egyptian Art
- A Passport to Egypt: The Red Pyramid
- Come to School! Leave with Books! (Books as Incentives)
