For those who have decided to unite in marriage not only before people, but also before God (that is, to get married), an indispensable attribute of the wedding ceremony will be a wedding towel.
It's worth noting that at weddings, the “church” ceremony of spreading a towel at the bride and groom's feet is also often used. This attention to the wedding towel stems from its powerful protective power for the young family.
The historical significance of the towel
This towel, with its decorative pattern on homespun linen, served as part of ritual ceremonies for our ancestors and was considered a powerful amulet. Icons, windows, and doors were covered with towels, bread and salt were brought out on them, and newborns were swaddled in special towels. They were also given to those leaving their parents' home “for happiness and good fortune.”
Wedding towels (or rather, the patterns encoded within them) were meant to remind newlyweds of their connection to their family. And, of course, they were meant to protect a happy family life from quarrels, unkind glances, separations, and the like.
According to wedding traditions, brides used to embroider their own wedding towels (often in advance, as part of their dowry). Firstly, a towel, like any energetically powerful object, “absorbs” the thoughts and messages of the embroiderer. Therefore, a towel made by the bride herself (who is preparing for her wedding and dreams of a successful marriage) is more positively charged. Furthermore, the variety of patterns embroidered on towels allows one to personally write down or embroider wishes for their future family life.
It turns out that a towel is the path of family life, which means it must be your own, made (in this case, embroidered) with your own hands.
Types of wedding towels
More than one towel was painstakingly embroidered by young women for their own weddings. Previously, a bride was required to have at least three dozen towels. These were used for the wedding ceremony, the wedding celebration, the matchmaking rites, and the parents' blessing. In addition, towels were needed for witnesses (later replaced by ribbons) and gift towels for loved ones. A handkerchief-shaped towel was also needed to wipe away the bride's tears of happiness.
Few of them are used today. Church regulations stipulate that four towels are required/optional in a wedding ceremony.
1. Wedding Towel. The main wedding towel, upon which the bride and groom stand at the registry office or at the lectern (for the wedding ceremony). According to church canons, this is an indispensable attribute of the wedding. After all, it is the towel, like a white cloud, that lifts the newlyweds from earthly life and transports them to God, before whom they swear eternal love and devotion to each other. Therefore, the central part of this towel is not embroidered with patterns (so that the newlyweds do not trample the embroidered wishes on the towel).
There are many superstitions associated with the ritual of spreading the towel. It must not be given away or folded (only rolled into a tube, to prevent misfortune from reaching the family). And, of course, the towel determines the future head of the family (whoever steps on it first will have greater authority).
2. The Union Towel. It was used to tie the newlyweds' hands together during the ceremony, as if to forge an unbreakable, eternal bond and a long life hand in hand. It symbolizes strong family ties, affection, and love between the bride and groom. Many images can be depicted here; even inscriptions with wishes are acceptable on the Union Towel.
3. The “bozhnik” towel. This towel is designed for a pair of wedding icons. A single towel can be used for both icons, but with “opposite-sex” edges. That is, like the “wedding” towel, there should be a side with a “male” and a “female” pattern. Alternatively, two separate “bozhniks” can be embroidered or purchased.
4. Hospitable Towel. These colorful towels are used to place the loaf of bread with which the parents greet and congratulate the newlyweds after the wedding ceremony. There are no special requirements for its appearance. Unlike the “wedding” and “union” towels, red is not required; the pattern/design can be multicolored and bright.
