The Veil
Many believe that the veil was designed to hide the beauty of the bride reducing the possibility of abduction preventing other prospective grooms seeing her and trying to steal her away. This is thought to be the origin for the superstition that the veil should not be lifted until on completion of the ceremony.
However the veil dates back to Roman times, when many marriages were arranged and the groom did not meet the bride prior to the ceremony it was then a complete veil from head to toe, hiding the bride completely just in case if the groom did see her prior to the ceremony he may change his mind if he did not like the look of her (once the knot was tied, it was too late for him to back out of an arrangement that would have been financially important to his family.) This is also the origin of keeping the bride and groom apart on the day of the ceremony.
Or was it designed to protect the bride from evil spirits. Many of our current wedding customs are based on ancient beliefs that a bride was particularly attractive to evil spirits. Thus, many rituals arose in an effort to protect her. One of these was the bridal veil, which was designed to shield her from evil. (This is also why brides had bridesmaids. Her friends would dress in garb and veils identical to the bride's, so that the spirits could not identify her.)
Or was it designed to protect the bride on her wedding day from the evil eye of jealous spinsters who might also be a witch. Or to protect the groom, his family, and other wedding guests from the brides psychic powers-just in case she has any and is herself a witch.
Superstitions has it that the veil should never be worn prior to the wedding morning, except for important necessary fittings and even then it should never be worn at the same time as the gown and the bride should avoid looking into a mirror at the chance of her marriage becoming an unhappy one. Even on the big day superstition has it that the veil should be left off until the last minute with the bride avoiding the opportunity to look at herself until the last few seconds when she is allowed a last glance only in the mirror before leaving for the church.
An old bridal veil is often thought luckier than a new one, particularly if it is borrowed from an individual who is known to be happily married, or if it is an heirloom in the bride's family. The good fortune and fertility of the earlier marriage passes with the veil to its new wearer. The belief that it is unlucky to wear, or see oneself in the veil is thought to apply though with double force to this veil.
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The Veil
