Wedding Anniversaries and their Symbols

Wedding Anniversaries and their Symbols

Researched by: Apolinario Villalobos

 

 

1^st        -paper

2^nd        -cotton

3^rd        -leather

4^th        -fruit, flowers

5^th        -wood

6^th        -sugar, candy

7^th        -wool, copper

8^th        -bronze, pottery

9^th        -pottery

10^th      -tin

11^th      -steel

12^th      -silk, linen

13^th      -lace

14^th      -ivory

15^th      -crystal

20^th      -china (ceramic items)

25^th      -silver

30^th      -pearl

35^th      -coral

40^th      -ruby

45^th      -sapphire

50^th      -gold

55^th      -emerald

75^th      -diamond

 

Noticeably, after the 15^th anniversary, there are five years gap between the anniversaries, thereafter, until the 55^th which has a gap of 20 years before the final which is the 75^th. Personally, my view is perhaps, to give time for the husband to save enough money for a more elaborate celebration. As for the long gap between the 55^th and 75^th, perhaps, it is some sort of a standby period to check the couple’s endurance to live in this chaotic world.

 

A word of caution, though, for the husband: do not give as gift to the wife, a roll of toilet paper on the first year anniversary, cotton balls on the second year, and a leather dog collar or a leather chastity belt on the third year.

 

This observance is rooted on the ancient practice of the pagans and handed down the subsequent cultures. Admirably, today we sometimes come across stories of couples with both the husband and wife in their respective wheelchair happily holding hands and being pushed solemnly down the aisle toward the altar for their renewal of vows, on the occasion of their 75^th wedding anniversary…in a Catholic church. I am just glad that “My Way” is not sung during this ceremony.

The Golden Milestone of Nita and Nito Bernardo

The Golden Milestone of Love

…of Nita and Nito Bernarado

 

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Love begets love and trust

And two lovers become one

Not just because of lust;

To nurture such feeling

Takes time and discipline

Difficult as one can imagine;

But difficulties they encounter

Are but turbulence in life, that

For the weak means surrender;

For the two souls, both strong –

Nita and Nito, their love endures

As joyfully, they finally reached

Their love’s golden milestone!

 

 

(For their golden wedding anniversary, 04 January 2014)