I am curious to this tradition / myLot

Guangzhou, China

March 7, 2013 7:42pm CST

When I watch TV, I learn that in some countries there is a tradition in the wedding ceremony. That is the guests will throw the rice to the new married couples. This is a very interesting tradition. I am curious what does it mean?

4 people like this

14 responses

ElicBxn

@ElicBxn (63235)

• United States

8 Mar 13

fertility... these days they discourage rice preferring bird seed or confetti

2 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (85605)

• United States

8 Mar 13

Yeah, the weddings I've been to in the last 12 years or so have all been bird seed.

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youless

@youless (112124)

• Guangzhou, China

8 Mar 13

I don't know it is replaced by bird seed

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lynpreety

@lynboobsy11 (11343)

• Philippines

8 Mar 13

We still pratice in here for prosperous marriage while building a family. In rich families I don't know if they still believe in this traditions. Another tradition here is putting paper bills on married couple while dancing.

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ElicBxn

@ElicBxn (63235)

• United States

8 Mar 13

The "Money Dance" wasn't around when I grew up, but I've heard about since... probably because I didn't grow up around a lot of poor people. They either tuck money in the bride's dress as she dances with her husband or they hand her money and dance a bit with her.

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lynpreety

@lynboobsy11 (11343)

• Philippines

8 Mar 13

I witnessed most weddings that I attended to specially in a very traditional way and in some provinces they do pin paper bills on couples while dancing.

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kprofgames

@kprofgames (3091)

• United States

8 Mar 13

Something similar is here, it's called the dollar dance, where men and woman would line up and dance with the bride and groom for $1.00. I got in the men's line and danced with my daughter

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Brian

@wolfie34 (26771)

• United Kingdom

12 Mar 13

I know some countries they do through rice, here in the UK, they throw confetti, which is just tiny coloured pieces of paper. But the custom of throwing rice is intended to give newlyweds good luck, and the rice is supposed to represent fertility and abundance.

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@youless (112124)

• Guangzhou, China

13 Mar 13

It seems we will also throw the confetti here, too.

sarahruthbeth22

@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)

• United States

8 Mar 13

The throwing of rice symbolizes fertility. It is a western tradition to throw rice to wish the couple Many children. But since many couples Are not going to have babies , these days flower pedals are thrown or the guest blow bubbles.

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youless

@youless (112124)

• Guangzhou, China

9 Mar 13

It is very romantic to throw flower pedals.

1 person likes this

sarahruthbeth22

@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)

• United States

9 Mar 13

1 person likes this

Jenny1015

@jenny1015 (13366)

• Philippines

11 Mar 13

The throwing of rice to a newly wedded couple means wishing prosperity with the union. It is wishing the couple good luck and abundance of wealth.

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youless

@youless (112124)

• Guangzhou, China

12 Mar 13

Every culture has different ways of wishes.

Mavic123456

@Mavic123456 (21898)

• Thailand

8 Mar 13

I will not answer this anymore for I am sure many Filipinos will respond to this. I will just tell you about for Thai They don't throw rice to married couples, they give them money... as in money

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people

youless

@youless (112124)

• Guangzhou, China

8 Mar 13

Here it is also normal to give money to the new married couples as the gifts.

Mavic123456

@Mavic123456 (21898)

• Thailand

8 Mar 13

Thai Wedding - This is the fifth art of the Thai Wedding. First is the groom's parent's blessings, done in his house. second is the parade to the bride's house. third the obstacle the groom has to pass before meeting the bride. 4th is the meeting of bride and blessings from the bride's blessings. fifth the presentation of offers from the groom. The groom gives these huge amount of money and jewelry to the bride. Then 6th is exchange of vows. 7th the blessings of both parents and 8th monks' blessings.

huge amount? LOL This is the fifth art of the Thai Wedding. First is the groom's parent's blessings, done in his house. second is the parade to the bride's house. third the obstacle the groom has to pass before meeting the bride. 4th is the meeting of bride and blessings from the bride's blessings. fifth the presentation of offers from the groom. The groom gives these huge amount of money and jewelry to the bride. Then 6th is exchange of vows. 7th the blessings of both parents and 8th monks' blessings.

meme0907

@meme0907 (3481)

• United States

8 Mar 13

Hello youless...I've always heard it was sort of a food blessing...like may the newly married couple have abundant food..Glad to see you

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@youless (112124)

• Guangzhou, China

8 Mar 13

Good blessing? What a nice wish

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Amber

@AmbiePam (85605)

• United States

8 Mar 13

In America, they have recommended for years to change the throwing of rice to the throwing of bird seed. Because the birds would evidently choke on the rice. For years you would just wrap up some rice in a nice, little, pretty bag. Then as the married couple ran out of the church or other wedding venue, they threw rice at the couple. These days more people do the same thing, only substitute bird seed for the rice.

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youless

@youless (112124)

• Guangzhou, China

8 Mar 13

This is a good change. I learned something new now.

1 person likes this

kprofgames

@kprofgames (3091)

• United States

8 Mar 13

Throwing of rice is a very old tradition that goes with reap what you sow. It symbolizes fertility, luck and abundance in the union. Our local churches have gone to blowing bubbles since rice is no longer allowed. Many of the churches said the birds were getting bad and making a mess on the sidewalks, buildings and cars. I have to say I like the bubbles better. Makes for some wonderful pictures a couple exiting the church surrounded by them.

1 person likes this

youless

@youless (112124)

• Guangzhou, China

9 Mar 13

Blowing bubbles is a nice change.

anuraa32

@anuraa32 (2446)

• India

9 Mar 13

Rice is a sign of prosperity in our culture. And when there is a marraige ceremony, the girl and the boy stand on two sides of a big cloth held by two family members which acts like a curtain. Certain hymns are sung during which at regular intervals we throw a little bit of rice on the bride and bridegroom, as it is supposed to carry our blessings and good wishes to them.

1 person likes this

youless

@youless (112124)

• Guangzhou, China

11 Mar 13

I learned more about this tradition now.

ryanong

@ryanong (9665)

• Vietnam

8 Mar 13

Oh, where is there that wedding? i guess it maybe the way to wish a husband and his wife live together forever.

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wedding

wish

youless

@youless (112124)

• Guangzhou, China

8 Mar 13

Rice can bring the new couples good luck?

aubrey

@averygirl72 (37730)

• Philippines

8 Mar 13

I guess in some provinces and rural areas it is still practiced. I guess in cities here they don't use it anymore.

1 person likes this

youless

@youless (112124)

• Guangzhou, China

8 Mar 13

I am curious why there is such a custom.

911Ricki

@911Ricki (13588)

• Canada

8 Mar 13

I think as time goes on tradition like 40 years ago have changed. Marriage is not required, career, and when you are ready, not forcing you into things.

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youless

@youless (112124)

• Guangzhou, China

8 Mar 13

But i still see it in the movie today.

ErikaD

@ErikaD (21)

• United States

11 Mar 13

I believe it was a symbol for plentiful crops back in the olden days, but now we blow bubbles :)

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