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The Bride's
Tree
A friend recently shared with me the
tradition of the Bride's Tree. The tradition is that the new bride and groom
would put these particular ornaments on their tree so they would have a long and
happy marriage. I thought this was very interesting and did a bit more research.
Each ornament has a special meaning. While
I doubt the placing of ornaments on a tree would give any particular benefit to
the marriage, it still is a nice tradition and perhaps a reminder to the couple
that these things (e.g. faith, hope, love etc.) are important.
I particularly liked the
cross-stitch designs
(I found them at
Something in Common) for each of the twelve ornaments. While working on the
charts, the new bride might meditate on the meaning behind each one and resolve
in her heart to follow these precepts in her life and in her marriage. The
designs suggest thread from
Weeks Dye Works
though substitutions can be made. Weeks' site has a retail locator which lists
all states. Some may not actually have a store, but most I went to did.
Many places sell the actual ornaments as
well, usually in sets. Another idea would be to collect ornaments with the same
general theme, perhaps one a year, for the young lady's hope chest.
There was some disagreement about the exact
symbols and their meanings so I'm including the listing under each site I found
online. I don't know if the order means anything. The order was different on
most. You should choose the one that best delivers the message that you want to
send.
Links are provided so you can purchase the
ornament from those sites that offer sales.
The list in green below is the combined meanings from
all of the 8
sites listed. The more popular meaning is listed first. Below this list are the
individual lists from each place.
Heart - true love, love
of family
House - shelter and/or protection
Flower or Flower Basket - good wishes, beauty in the home
Fruit or Fruit Basket - generosity, plenty
Teapot or Coffeepot - hospitality
Bird or Bird in a nest or - happiness and/or joy, confidence in the
shelter
Pinecone - motherhood and/or fruitfulness, eternity
Rose - beauty and/or affection, Virgin or Mother Mary
Fish - Christ's blessing, fertility, Christ
Angel or church - God's guidance in the home, God's protection, God
St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) - giving and sharing, unselfishness and/or goodwill
Animal - peace with nature (This was only on ONE list that I found - other lists
had specifically RABBIT)
Rabbit - hope and/or faith (on 7 lists)
Domestic Church
Heart- love in the home
House - family shelter
Flower basket - beauty in the home
Basket of fruit - plenty
Teapot - hospitality
Bird in a nest - confidence in the shelter
Pinecone - eternity
Animal - peace with nature
Fish - Christ, as well as fertility
Rose - Virgin Mary
Church or angel - God
Saint Nicholas - giving and sharing
The Framework Shop
Brides Tree Ornament Collection
According to the old German
tradition, the
tree of a newlywed couple should include
these twelve ornaments to insure blessing
and happiness for their life together........
Angel - God's Guidance in the Home
Rose - Beauty and Affection
Rabbit - Hope and Faith
Teapot - Hospitality
Pine Cone - Motherhood and Fruitfulness
Santa - Unselfishness and Goodwill
House - Shelter and Protection
Fruit Basket - Generosity
Bird - Happiness and Joy
Flower Basket - Good Wishes
Heart - True Love
Fish - Christ's Blessing
ChristmasPast.com
Larger size
Heart - True Love
Pinecone - Motherhood & Fruitfulness
Santa - Unselfishness & Goodwill
Fish - Christ's Blessing
House - Shelter & Protection
Rabbit - Hope & Faith
Angel - God's Guidance in the Home
Teapot - Hospitality
Rose - Beauty & Affection
Fruit - Basket Generosity
Flower - Basket Good Wishes
Bird - Happiness & Joy
Art and Artifact
According to an old German tradition, a
couple's Christmas tree should include these 12 symbolic ornaments to ensure
happiness
Rose - affection
Fish - Christ's blessing
Angel - God's guidance
Fruit Basket - generosity
Flower Basket - good wishes
Santa - goodwill
Heart - true love
Bird - joy
House - protection
Rabbit - hope
Pinecone - ruitfulness
Teapot - hospitality
Each is mouth-blown in northern Bavaria,
created in antique molds, and fitted with the Star Cap, the signature of
Inge-Glas™, a family workshop of glass blowers now in its 15th generation. Each
is about 2"-4" high. Gift boxed.
Catholic Supply
Angel-
God's Guidance in the Home
Fish-
Christ's Blessing
Rose- Beauty and
Affection
Rabbit- Faith & Hope
Teapot- Hospitality
Pine Cone- Motherhood & Fruitfulness
Santa- Unselfishness &
Goodwill
House- Shelter & Protection
Fruit Basket- Generosity
Bird- Happiness & Joy
Flower Basket- Good
Wishes
Heart-
True Love
This site had meanings for
other ornament symbols as well, but here are the meanings for the dozen used
above
European Christmas
Angel - God's Protection
Bird - Happiness
Fish - Christ's Blessing
Heart - True Love
House - Shelter
Fruit - Generosity
Pine Cone - Motherhood
Rose - Beauty/Mother Mary
Rabbit - Hope
Santa - Goodwill
Tea or Coffee Pot - Hospitality
Flower - Good Wishes
Americasmart
The Bridal
Collection Gift Boxed Set
This collection of good wishes is for new couples to begin their lives together.
In the old country it was customary to give these twelve ornaments as symbols of
a happy home.
Fruit Basket - Generosity
Heart - True Love
Fish - Christ's Blessings
Teapot - Hospitality
Bird - Happiness
Angel - God's Guidance
House - Shelter
Rose - Beauty
Flower Basket - Good Wishes
Rabbit - Hope and Faith
Pinecone - Motherhood and Fruitfulness
Santa - Unselfishness and Goodwill
All Things Bright. There is a large picture on the page with the meaning
beside each ornament if you can read it.
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