Wedding anniversary

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"Fifty years since our wedding day", sentimental painting by George Hare depicting an elderly couple in a church Fifty years since our wedding day-George Hare.jpg
"Fifty years since our wedding day", sentimental painting by George Hare depicting an elderly couple in a church

A wedding anniversary is the anniversary of the date that a wedding took place. Couples often mark the occasion by celebrating their relationship, either privately or with a larger party. Special celebrations and gifts are often given for particular anniversary milestones (e.g., 10, 15, 20, or 25 years). In some cultures, traditional names exist for milestone anniversaries; for instance, fifty years of marriage may be known variously as a "golden wedding anniversary", "golden anniversary" or "golden wedding".

Contents

History and recognition

Associating a wedding anniversary with precious metals such as "gold" (50 years) or "silver" (25 years) has been documented in Germanic countries since the 1500s. [1] In English-speaking countries, the tradition of associating gift-giving with wedding anniversaries became more prevalent in the nineteenth century. [2] In the twentieth century, increased commercialization led to the inclusion of more anniversaries to a list of predetermined gifts. [3] [4]

In some parts of the world, couples can receive special recognition from government officials for particular milestones. In the Commonwealth realms, a couple can receive a message from the monarch for 60th, 65th and 70th wedding anniversaries and for any wedding anniversary after that. This is done by applying to Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom or to the governor-general's office in the other Commonwealth realms. [5]

In Australia, couples can receive a congratulatory letter from the governor-general on the 50th and all subsequent wedding anniversaries. The prime minister, the Leader of the Opposition, local members of both state and federal parliaments as well as state governors may also send salutations for the same anniversaries. [6]

In Canada, couples can also receive a message from the governor-general for the 50th anniversary and every fifth anniversary after that. [7]

In the United States, a couple can receive an anniversary greeting card from the president for the 50th and all subsequent anniversaries. [8]

Catholics may apply for a papal blessing through their local diocese for wedding anniversaries of a special nature (25th, 50th, 60th, etc.). [9] [10]

Celebration and gifts

Some significant anniversaries have names that suggest appropriate or traditional gifts, such as a silver or platinum jubilee. Gifts may be exchanged by spouses or given by guests at parties; they may also influence an anniversary party's theme or decoration. These gifts vary in different countries, but some anniversary years now have well-established connections common to many nations; a popular analogy are the numerous jubilees thrown to celebrate anniversary milestones in the reigns of English and British monarchs, all of which are also associated with precious stones or metals. [11]

In English-speaking countries, the fifth-year gift (wood) was cut on the day of celebration and then presented to the wife as a finished item before the next two quarter days had passed.[ citation needed ]

In 1937, the American National Retail Jeweler Association (now known as Jewelers of America as a result of an organizational merger) introduced an expanded list of gifts. The revamped list gave a gift for each year up to the 25th and then for every fifth anniversary after that. [12]

In South India, 60th and 80th wedding anniversaries are accompanied by large celebrations similar to weddings. In Tamil Nadu, there is a famous Thirukadaiyur Temple where special pujas are conducted for wedding anniversaries. [13]

Traditional anniversary gifts

YearTraditional (U.S.) [14] [15] [16] [17] Traditional (U.K.) [18] [19] [20]
1stPaperCotton or paper
2ndCottonPaper or cotton
3rdLeather
4thFruit and flowersLinen, silk
5thWood
6thIronSugar
7thWool, copperWoollen
8thBronzeBronze, Salt
9thPotteryCopper
10thTin, aluminumTin
11thSteel
12thSilkSilk and fine linen
13thLace
14thIvory
15thCrystal
20thPorcelain
25thSilver
30thPearl
35thCoral
40thRuby
45thSapphire
50thGold
55thEmerald
60thDiamond
65thBlue sapphire
70thPlatinum [21] [22] [23]
75thDiamond, gold
80thOak [24] [25]
85thMoonstoneWine
90thGranite

Flower gifts

Flowers are also associated with wedding anniversaries up to and including the 50th anniversary. [26] [27]

YearFlower
1st Carnation
2nd Cosmos
3rd Sunflower
4th Geranium
5th Daisy
10th Daffodil
15th Rose
20th Aster
25th Iris
30th Lily
40th Gladiolus
50thYellow rose with violets

See also

Related Research Articles

A Jubilee is often used to refer to the celebration of a particular anniversary of an event, usually denoting the 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th, and the 70th anniversary. The term comes from the Hebrew bible, initially concerning a recurring religious observance involving a set number of years, that notably involved freeing of debt slaves. Emperors of ancient Rome customarily marked anniversaries of their rule with celebrations, although they did not use the term, jubilee. Nonetheless, the term came into English usage from the bible, together with customary celebration of a reign, and is now often used to denote the celebrations associated with the reign of monarchs after a milestone number of years have passed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wedding ring</span> Finger ring which indicates that its wearer is married

A wedding ring or wedding band is a finger ring that indicates that its wearer is married. It is usually forged from metal, traditionally gold or another precious metal. Rings were used in ancient Rome during marriage.

A golden jubilee marks a 50th anniversary. It variously is applied to people, events, and nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond jubilee</span> 60th anniversary of an event

A diamond jubilee celebrates the 60th anniversary of a significant event related to a person or the 60th anniversary of an institution's founding. The term is also used for 75th anniversaries, although the human lifespan makes this usage more common for institutions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anniversary</span> Date of an event from a previous year and the observance of this milestone

An anniversary is the date on which an event took place or an institution was founded in a previous year, and may also refer to the commemoration or celebration of that event. The word was first used for Catholic feasts to commemorate saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Jubilee Diamond</span> Largest cut and faceted diamond in the world

The Golden Jubilee Diamond, a 545.67 carat brown diamond, is the largest cut and faceted diamond in the world. It outweighs the Cullinan I by 15.37 carats. The Golden Jubilee Diamond was discovered in 1985 at the Premier Mine, which is also the origin of the Cullinan diamond (1905) and other notables such as the Taylor–Burton (1966) and the Centenary (1986). Cullinan I, also known as the Great Star of Africa, had held the title of the largest cut and faceted diamond since 1908.

In popular culture, sets of precious substances may form hierarchies which express conventional perceived relative value or merit. Precious metals appear prominently in such hierarchies, but as they grow, gems and semi-precious materials may be introduced as part of the system. The sequences can provide interesting examples of the arbitrariness of semiotic signs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Rose</span> Papal award

The Golden Rose is a gold ornament, which popes of the Catholic Church have traditionally blessed annually. It is occasionally conferred as a token of reverence or affection. Recipients have included churches and sanctuaries, royalty, military figures, and governments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Platinum jubilee</span> 70th anniversary

A platinum jubilee is a celebration held to mark an anniversary. Among monarchies, it usually refers to a 70th anniversary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corsage</span> Small bouquet worn on clothing

A corsage is a small bouquet of flowers worn on a woman's dress or around her wrist for a formal occasion. They are typically given to her by her date. Today, corsages are most commonly seen at homecomings, proms, and similar formal events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II</span> 50th anniversary of the monarchs accession

The Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II was the international celebration held in 2002 marking the 50th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. It was intended by the Queen to be both a commemoration of her 50 years as monarch and an opportunity for her to officially and personally thank her people for their loyalty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Party favor</span> Small gift given to the guests at a party or wedding reception

A party favor is a small gift given to the guests at a party as a gesture of thanks for their attendance, a memento of the occasion, or simply for fun.

Commemorative coins have been issued by the Royal Mint in the United Kingdom since 1935. Initially they only came out to mark events of great interest, but since the turn of the millennium have been minted yearly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Windsor Horse Show</span>

The Royal Windsor Horse Show is a horse show held annually since 1943 for five days in May or June in Windsor Home Park. The show is the only one in the United Kingdom to host international competition for dressage, show jumping, carriage driving and endurance riding. In addition, there are over 130 showing classes. It annually attracts more than 50,000 visitors and has key sponsors including Jaguar Landrover through their Defender brand, Hermes, Rolex, Pol Roger and many more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sapphire Jubilee of Elizabeth II</span> 65th anniversary of the monarchs accession

The Sapphire Jubilee of Elizabeth II on 6 February 2017, marked 65 years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. The longest-reigning monarch in British history, Elizabeth II was the first British monarch to have a sapphire jubilee.

Henry Ho is a jeweler in Thailand and President of the Bangkok Diamond & Precious Stones Exchange.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruby Jubilee of Elizabeth II</span> 40th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II

The Ruby Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 1992 marked the 40th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. Contrary to her Silver Jubilee in 1977, it was not regarded as an "official" jubilee. However, the milestone was marked with a number of events and community projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II</span> 70th anniversary of the monarchs accession

The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II was the international celebration in 2022 marking the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. It was the first time that any monarch in British history celebrated a platinum jubilee, as is the case in the histories of the other Commonwealth realms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal</span> Commemorative medal awarded by the Queen

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal or the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal is a commemorative medal created to mark the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession in 1952.

References

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