Symbols

 The current Round Robin topic is from Ruth, the Scrabblequeen  and the topic is ‘Symbols’.  My original hopes and intentions were to go into Seattle and take a photo of the Space Needle and Pike Place Market – very iconic of Seattle.  However, the first opportunity I’ll have is … well, today!  I’m going up there to do a family portrait session.

  I feel like I’m ‘cheating’ by using my work related photos for this particular challenge.  However, there are many symbols involved with weddings that I decided to go ahead and use some photographs from weddings we have had the honor to photograph.

The wedding ring is the most instantly recognizable symbol for married couples.  There are many theories about the origins of the wedding ring.  I’ll go with a ring is a circle which symbolizes eternal.  In this case, hopefully eternal love for each other. =)

The unity candle (variations – the rose ceremony, unity sand, etc.)  Generally a family member from the couples families will lit the two candles which represent their individual lives.  During the ceremony they will take their individual candles to lite the one in marriage.  Many couples blow out their individual candles.  However, lately I see more keeping them lit to symbolize that they aren’t losing their individuality in the unity.

 

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue …  This is from our most recent wedding.  The bride’s something old is the handkerchief that her grandmother received from her grandfather while he was serving in WWI.  The something new is the pearl bracelet,  Something blue – the ring and something borrowed is the frog that belongs to her sister.

Now what are they supposed to symbolize?  Each in a sense are to symbolize good luck.

Something old – continuity to the bride’s family and the past  

Something new - optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead 

Something borrowed – an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride.

Something blue - Before the late 19th century, blue was a popular color for wedding gowns, as evidenced in proverbs like, "Marry in blue, lover be true."

Now are you the least bit curious as to what other symbols were found by those who participated in the Round Robin Photo Challenge?  Let’s go check them out by clicking –> HERE! =)