A veil is one of the key items of a woman's wedding outfit.
But veils have been worn by women in non-matriomonial circumstances for millennia. Thirteen centuries before Christ's birth, upper class Persian women wore them, while to this day, the religions of Christianity, Islam and Judaism use veils as an outward symbol of female modesty. Mary, Jesus’ mother, is never depicted without one.
In Roman times brides wore veils to guard themselves against evil spirits, while in Jewish culture, veils have always been part of the marriage ceremony. Even today, the lifting of a veil is still considered a symbol of what will happen when the marriage is consummated.
In Britain, veils were an everyday item of dress for non-married women until the Tudor era, but today the only time a non-religious woman in this country will wear one is for her wedding. Since Queen Victoria's marriage
to Prince Albert in 1840, a white veil has been a standard item of clothing for British women getting married and today it's seen as more of a fashion accessory than anything else. However, with its roots in ancient history, the veil – and it subsequent removal – has its roots in long-forgotten civilisations and their practices. Something to remember, when your first pin it on.
No comments:
Post a Comment