Lucky horseshoes have a long-standing place in the tradition of Irish weddings.
The traditional Irish couple observes many traditions throughout their wedding, several of which deal with giving and receiving gifts. Irish families pass luck money and magic handkerchiefs down to their children as heirlooms to use in their own weddings, while the newlyweds typically receive other gifts, like horseshoes and bells, new to their generation.
Lucky Wedding Coin
The traditional Irish groom gives his bride a wedding coin or luck money after they exchange rings. This tradition has its origins in a time when the groom paid money to the bride's family to grant them good fortune. Luck money symbolizes worldly prosperity. The wedding coin becomes a family heirloom after the wedding, and the eldest son receives the heirloom coin from his mother on his own wedding day to give to his bride. A more contemporary version of the custom has the bride exchanging a second coin with her groom, as well.
Horseshoe
The horseshoe stands as a symbol of luck, which originated in Irish culture and has made its way into other cultures, as well. Original Irish tradition has the bride carrying a horseshoe with her on her wedding day to bring good fortune. After the wedding, the newlywed couple moves into their new home and hangs the horseshoe on their front door to ward off evil. Nowadays, Irish shops sell porcelain horseshoes with traditional Celtic symbols to give as wedding gifts.
Magic Handkerchief
Handkerchiefs can be plain, but may also have an embroidered Celtic design.
The Irish bride typically receives a magic hanky from a maternal figure during her bridal shower or, otherwise, sometime before she walks down the aisle during her wedding. She saves the handkerchief after the wedding and uses it at the christening of her first child. One tradition holds that she uses the handkerchief to wipe the child's face upon its christening, while another holds that she alters the handkerchief into a christening bonnet, changing it back into a handkerchief afterward for the firstborn's wedding.
Bell
Guests give ceramic hand bells, usually decorated with a Claddagh heart, to the bride and groom to ward off any evil that threatens their lives as newlyweds. This wedding bell later holds a place as the couple's make up bell, reminding the new husband and wife of their vows whenever an argument erupts. Either the husband or wife rings the bell during an argument to remind each other to calm down and work things out.
Never Be Without Gifts
Salt and pepper shakers can be cute or classy, simple or extravagant.
Guests at traditional Irish weddings often give never be without gift items as good luck charms for the newlywed couple. Guests give candlestick holders so the couple's home will never be without light, salt and pepper shakers so the home will never be without food and wine glasses so the couple's home will never be without drink.
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