SAEDNEWS: Courtship and marriage proposal customs vary across different countries and cultures. Some of these traditions are so unusual and fascinating that you might not have known about them before.
Engagement customs vary widely across countries and even cities, and the way marriage proposals are conducted is not the same everywhere. Here, we explore engagement traditions in different cultures and how they are practiced.
In Ghana, engagement typically takes place a week before the wedding. The groom, along with several family members, visits the bride’s home in what is called the "knocking ceremony." During this event, the bride’s family decides whether to approve the marriage.
Norwegian women wear their wedding rings on the right hand. Many women in the UK, France, India, Russia, and Germany follow the same tradition.
In some regions of India, it is customary for the bride to steal the shoe of one of the groom’s sisters during the ceremony as a playful challenge. The groom must pay a ransom to retrieve it, symbolizing his commitment and courage.
In the Czech Republic, once the marriage is confirmed, a bowl of soup is broken near the bride and groom’s feet. They must smile and clean it up together, then eat from another bowl using a single spoon. This tradition symbolizes cooperation in all aspects of married life.
Chinese weddings symbolize the union of two families, not just two individuals. Engagements often follow Western traditions, where the groom presents a ring and asks for the bride’s hand. Afterward, the bride introduces him to her family, and the families give formal consent. In some cities, the bride is expected to cry for an hour daily starting a month before the wedding—a ritual believed to welcome marriage and future happiness.
In Mexico, after a couple expresses mutual interest, they are tied together with a rope decorated with white flowers, beads, and crystals, symbolizing unity in married life. Their hands are untied by relatives after a few minutes.
In Chile, both men and women wear their wedding rings on the right hand. During the wedding ceremony, they move the rings to the left hand.
Before the wedding, the groom must lie on the ground with a rug placed over him while relatives walk on it to test his patience.
In Wales, the groom carves a wooden spoon into an intricate design and presents it to the bride in a social gathering. This tradition signifies that the bride will never go hungry in their life together.
Many Argentine couples wear rings during the engagement period, rather than waiting for the wedding ceremony.
In Greece, it is important to seek the father’s permission for marriage. Couples often attend three pre-marriage counseling sessions, and friends and family host an engagement celebration once the proposal is accepted.
Many North American Native tribes view engagement rings as a gesture of gratitude to nature. Rings are often made of silver, colored charcoal, or turquoise stones.
Irish engagement rings feature a heart held by two hands with a crown above it. The heart symbolizes love, the hands represent support, and the crown signifies loyalty. Rings are usually worn on the left hand, with the heart pointing toward the fingertips before the wedding and rotated toward the wrist on the wedding day.
Special beads are worn around the neck to signify engagement. Among the Maasai, the bride’s father blesses the couple by spitting on the bride as they leave for their home, wishing her luck and happiness.
After a proposal, French couples shop for engagement rings together, but rings are not worn until family and friends gather. In some regions, the night before the wedding, relatives of the groom create a ruckus by banging on pots and pans outside the bride’s home, and the bride’s family serves refreshments as a gesture of goodwill.
In Fiji, the groom must obtain a whale tooth before the wedding, which is considered risky. He presents it to the bride’s father to demonstrate good intentions.
In some Mongolian tribes and parts of China, the groom’s chosen wedding date is determined by examining a chicken liver. If the liver is healthy, a wedding date is set; otherwise, the process repeats monthly.
In traditional Indian and Pakistani families, the engagement ceremony is usually a formal family affair, with minimal direct involvement of the bride and groom. In Pakistan, if the proposal is accepted, a specific engagement ceremony is held.
In Thailand, traditional engagement ceremonies involve the groom giving a gift of gold to the bride’s family, which does not necessarily include a ring.
In the UK, men traditionally propose by kneeling and presenting a ring to the woman, who wears it on the third finger of her left hand. Leap years allow women to propose to men on February 29. Weddings are typically held on Saturdays, though Wednesdays were historically considered auspicious.
In Borneo, three days before the wedding, the bride and groom are confined to a room without restroom access, teaching them self-control and preparing them for married life.
During engagements, couples wear rings on the left hand. German weddings include a tradition where the couple must saw a tree trunk in a limited time; failure predicts a less happy life. This emphasizes cooperation through challenges.
In northern South Korea, the groom’s feet are struck with a dead fish and bamboo sticks to prepare him for the hardships of married life. Complaining indicates he is not ready.
Ukrainians follow ancient customs. Before the wedding, the groom breaks some of the bride’s household dishes to symbolize that he must care for her and respect her family.
Scottish men must complete tasks requested by the bride’s father to win approval. Friends and family dirty the couple days before the wedding and tie them to a tree to prepare them for handling challenges together.
Engagement ceremonies in Armenia are as important as weddings. Couples exchange rings and vow to remain loyal, often after pre-marriage counseling.
In Mauritania, a heavier bride is considered more attractive. Young women often overeat before the wedding to gain weight, which can sometimes lead to health risks.
In Japan, couples are not officially married without a formal engagement ceremony. Families exchange nine wrapped gifts, each symbolizing good wishes for the couple’s future life together.
