With this herb, I thee wed
June is named for the Roman goddess Juno, the protector of marriages, and was considered a propitious month for weddings--especially the day of the full moon. Roman brides were garlanded with roses (for love) and carried rosemary (for remembrance).
In Elizabethan England, a bride might have tucked garlic and onion among her flowers to frighten off evil spirits,or nibbled on calendula blossoms dipped in rose water to make herself
more attractive to the groom.
In Queen Victoria's day, a brides bouquet might have included sprigs of lavender for devotion, marjoram for joy, ivy for fidelity, sage for virtue, and myrtle for everlasting love. Flowers had special significance as well: orange blossoms for fertility, carnation for pure love , red rose for passion, and white rose for unity.
Susan Wittig Albert. |
