![]() Tomb paintings and inscriptions show couples together in the Field Of Reeds, the Egyptian’s vision of the afterlife, going about daily activities as on earth. Marriage was expected to last for a lifetime and would also be expected to continue into the afterlife. ![]() Don't keep saying to her `Where is it? Bring it to me!' especially when you know it is in the place where it ought to be!" (15) l'm loving that last sentiment… A man was expected to love his wife, as the following exhortation from the sage, Ptah-hotep, makes clear: "Love your wife, feed her, clothe her, and make her happy.but don't let her gain the upper hand!" Another sage, Ani, proffered a recipe for a happy life: "Don't boss your wife in her own house when you know she is efficient. Taking a wife appears to have been synonymous with setting up a house. The purpose of marriage was to have children but it was also essential that the couple were to love one another and be honourable. If after a year if the bride-to-be became pregnant, they wed. There were even trial marriages to test for fertility. Marriages were often arranged by the bride’s parents and gifts were handed to the bride’s family from the groom’s family. There was no verb for marriage or even a ceremony, but a woman was ‘married to a man as she entered his house with chattels agreed upon’. In Ancient Egypt, marriage was a pragmatic affair. Marriage dates back at least to Ancient Egypt around 3100 BCE, probably earlier, with many statues, artefacts and stone reliefs that attest to this. Statue of 5th Dynasty Egyptian man and wife It is now accepted that marriage is universal in one form or another in every civilisation. It was seen as a strategic way of achieving stability for the community, protecting bloodlines, establishing diplomatic and trading bonds, mutual commitments and also personal and family advancement. It sets out rights and obligations, extending beyond just the couple, but to their children and wider family. Marriage is a cultural and mainly legally recognised union between two people and its history goes back a very long time. If you are attending a wedding where the reception will extend into the evening, a shawl or pashmina will give you reassuring warmth and flexibility to see you through the night. For men a suit with a tie, or a sports jacket without a tie, chinos or smart trousers. ![]() For the less formal, the cocktail dress is an easy option - it's smart to wear and fairly comfortable. If formal, a long evening dress or cocktail dress with smart shoes for the women, a tuxedo, white dress shirt, bow tie and dress shoes for the men. Check the invitation carefully, for the dress code. Don't wear all white or any all-cream variations, all black, red, gold, or be over sparkly. As a guest, there are a few faux pas that you need to be aware of. What to wear to a wedding? If you are the lucky couple, you will already know, having bought all the wedding magazines on the shelf. South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands GBP £ Exclusive Hand Embroidered Kashmiri Shawls.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |