Bridal Superstition

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“Something old, something new,

Something borrowed, something blue,

And a lucky sixpence in her shoe”

Still slavishly followed by couples eager to maintain the traditions surrounding matrimonial ceremonial dress, but few people really know what the significance of the rhyme is and where it came from.

The rhyme first appeared in print during the 19th century and was ascribed to "some Lancashire friends". So it is anonymous, but many believe the practice predates the publication by at least a century. There is some historic evidence to support this. The Oxford shoe (lacing shoe) first appeared in 1640 and only became popular 100 years later when grooms were known to keep a lucky sixpence (or sickie) in their shoes. This was first recorded in 1774 and was thought to be a talisman to ward off evil doings from unsuccessful suitors. To prevent the groom from tripping at the alter (very unlucky) they stood on the latchets (sometimes silver) of their shoe laces. Prior to lacing shoes the bridal couple wore silver buckles on their shoes. Apparently evil spirits are not too keen on metal and silver is the metal of choice (as in silver bullet to kill a vampire/werewolf).

The Something Old

In the 17th century "Something old" referred to superstition relating to protecting a baby. Baring in mind many brides were with child when they got to the alter, so the association is not that odd. More and more commonly the something old became a handkerchief, a bride’s garter or bridal slippers.

The Something New
There are no citations for "something new," albeit brides normally wore their best dress to the ceremony. From early Saxon days through to the 18th century the bride came to the wedding dressed in a plain white robe. Thought to signify a public declaration the bride brought nothing with her to the marriage and certainly no outstanding debt for her new husband to honour. (brides were chattels). Marriages were frequently arranged and brought two families together. Loving relationships often followed the union but not necessarily predate it. In the case of unexpected pregnancy the union was hurried along. By the 19th century the colour white was associated with a virgin marriage.

The Something Borrowed
In times past in many cultures brides were taken by force hence borrowing clothes was a necessity. The widely held superstition was wearing something borrowed (or stolen) was lucky and bridal shoes offered the bride the same luck as the previous owner. Even by the 19th century shoes were still expensive items of clothing and getting a pair for the ceremony would be a precious gift for most ordinary folks. The term, ‘following in your father’s footsteps’ refers to the then custom of bequeathing footwear to loved ones. This custom of borrowing shoes for weddings may account why today the bride’s shoes are often kept as keep sake.

The Something Blue
Wearing something blue was an expression of faithfulness and is cited in Chaucer's' Squire's Tale (1390). A long standing bridal superstition stated no harm could befall a bride wearing blue. The hue of choice was heaven’s blue and the bride often chose a blue garter or one coordinated with her bridal colours.

And the lucky sixpence in/under the shoe
The origins of a ‘sixpence under her shoe’ may well relate to the ancient custom of "Jus Prima Noctis". Here the king, lord, or priest of the parish could claim access to the bride on her first night of marriage. This was common to many cultures including the Scots (seen in Braveheart). During the reign of Malcolm III (1058-93), Queen Margaret demanded and secured the abolition of the law and a mark of silver was substituted as the price of redemption of the girl's chastity. This is thought to be the purpose of ‘the sixpence under her shoe’. By 1814 silver sixpences were commonly used as lucky talisman. (You may recall you used to get a silver thrupenny in the Christmas pudding.)

In different parts of the world the same custom was seem with regional variation. In Sweden, the father of he bride placed a silver coin in the left shoe of the bride and the mother put a gold coin in the right shoe. This meant the bride would never lack luxuries. In Canada, brides wore a 25 cent bill in their shoes and US brides from North Carolina carried a dollar bill in their shoes.

Scottish bridegrooms too had superstitions and many wore their left shoe without buckle or lacing (latchets) to prevent witches from interfering with their male prowess on the night of nuptials. In the Isle of Sky the groom’s shoe laces were tied together but in other parts of the highlands, the laces on the right shoe were loosened at the church door. No explanation can be found to explain these quaint customs.

Excerpt from the Afternoons with Jenny Seeton Cutin FM 101, Perth Western Australia, Friday 03/19/2010.

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