Traditional Wedding Anniversary Gifts Part 1, by Funk Conspiracy
Wedding anniversary dates have become associated with particular types of gifts.
Nowadays, many gift choices have little connection with the original tradition. It is very interesting to look at what the traditional gift types were and what they represent. North East Wedding Band Funk Conspiracy have researched where these gift ideas originate.
The names of some anniversaries provide guidance for traditional or appropriate gifts for the spouses to give to each other, or for friends and relatives to give to the married couple. If there is an anniversary party, these gifts can be brought by the guests or influence the theme or decoration.
Over time, the gift symbolisation expanded and Funk Conspiracy research has discovered that the symbols originate from the ancient German tradition to assign gifts that had direct connection with each stage of married life.
Some symbols have changed over time, for example, in the UK, Diamond represented 75 years. This changed to 60 years after Queen Victoria’s 60 years on the throne was marked as her “Diamond Jubilee”.
1st anniversary gift - Cotton
Cotton is a durable and versatile material symbolising the qualities of a successful marriage.
2nd anniversary gift - Paper
Paper symbolises strength that comes from the interlaced connection of papers individual threads
3rd anniversary gift - Leather
Leather is durable, strong and flexible with resiliency - qualities that help marriage continue to thrive.
4th anniversary gift - Fruit / Flowers
Fruit and flowers represent the blossoming partnership of the married couple.
5th anniversary gift - Wood
Strong and long-lasting wood symbolizes the strength, solidity and wisdom inherent to a strong relationship.
6th anniversary gift - Sugar
Sugar is sweet! This symbolises the nice things you do for each other every day.
7th anniversary gift - Wool
Wool symbolises warmth and comfort, two very important qualities in marriage.
8th anniversary gift - Salt / Bronze
Salt takes its name from the Roman Goddess of Health “Salus”. Salt represents purity and immortality for a healthy, pure and everlasting marriage. Bronze is created by combining tin and copper which represents a strong marriage created by the joining of two people.
9th anniversary gift - Copper
Copper is well known as a valuable metal and is traditionally associated with prosperity, good luck and good fortune.
10th anniversary gift - Tin
The 10th anniversary is the first milestone. Tin represents durability and a solid relationship that is strong and long lasting.
11th anniversary gift - Steel
As an alloy of iron and carbon, steel also symbolizes the strength of a good partnership. At the same time, stainless steel exemplifies properties of permanence and durability, key ingredients in any lasting relationship.
12th anniversary gift - Silk / Linen
Holding the contradictory properties of being both extremely strong and incredibly soft, silk is a symbol of the strength and flexibility required to sustain a long-term relationship.
Written by Navella Caretto.
