Ok..so a few peolple were asking about the origin of this tradition...not even knowing that it has a purpose,and it is not just a useless sack of in-edible candy that people don't want. (Not a quote...just an interpretation of what some people have suggested.)
SO this tradition, which is Italian in origin, as I know it is:
3-5 candy-coated almonds (always an odd number) shoulw be given (in whatever wrapping or packaging desired) I don't know about the ODD number symbolism...but I think it's fertility; ALWAYS more than three..but no less.
The candy-coated almonds represent the 'bitter-sweatness' of marriage....the Yin and Yang; to remember that even in the bad times there are good things.
This has been done for so long...that I'm sure most of hte family would be SHOCKED if my Italian Brideness didn't provide these tokens... I, being a sucker for romantic custom, have no desire to deviate from such a sweat (tee-hee) tradition anyway.
Just in case you were wondering.
babybride
Posted:
Member since
Re: Almonds wrapped in tulle symbolize....
Posted by RobNette
I don't know about the ODD number symbolism...but I think it's fertility; ALWAYS more than three..but no less.
It is an odd number because that is indivisible and can not be broken apart. Go for the tradition. I did and put the poem so people who didn't know why they were given out could understand.
Julestrd
Posted:
Member since
Re: Almonds wrapped in tulle symbolize....
Where do you find the poem at?
babybride
Posted:
Member since
Re: Almonds wrapped in tulle symbolize....
Posted by Julestrd
Where do you find the poem at?
I found it on here a while back. If you search you can find it. It was something like this, but I think it rhymed better?
Five sugared almonds for our guests to eat To remind us that life is both bitter and sweet Five wishes for the new husband and wife Health, wealth, happiness, children and long life.
RobNette
Posted:
Member since
Re: Almonds wrapped in tulle symbolize....
Posted by babybride
Posted by Julestrd
Where do you find the poem at?
I found it on here a while back. If you search you can find it. It was something like this, but I think it rhymed better?
Five sugared almonds for our guests to eat To remind us that life is both bitter and sweet Five wishes for the new husband and wife Health, wealth, happiness, children and long life.
ok..so we did 3 ..but only because I am attatching them to the main favor..so I didn't want it to be too big...so I made a '3 almond' version:
Three sugared almonds for our guests to eat To remind us that life is both bitter and sweet Three; indivisible and cannot be broken So too is our love in this tasty token
lame? whatdya think?
Bunnymonkey
Posted:
Member since
Re: Almonds wrapped in tulle symbolize....
either 3 or 5 is correct according to Italian (and greek) tradition. As long as it is odd.
I love the symbolism of them. My grandmother would weep if we did not have jordans. I grew up waiting for my family to come home from weddings so I could dig into the little suckers (always sucked off the candy and threw away the almond!)
I was planning on doing them as an extra favor and putting them in anything but tulle (little boxes like this) and then putting a sign next to the favor basket which explains the meaning of them...I think it's a neat nod to heitage and tradition.
Posted by RobNette ok..so we did 3 ..but only because I am attatching them to the main favor..so I didn't want it to be too big...so I made a '3 almond' version:
Three sugared almonds for our guests to eat To remind us that life is both bitter and sweet Three; indivisible and cannot be broken So too is our love in this tasty token
lame? whatdya think?
I think your poem is cute
We did the almonds also -- five tied up with tulle and name ribbons, but we then put then into little bags with our names/date on them.. (as in the picture, on the left)
There was no way we COULDN'T do it, and I alwyas loved the tradition myself
Since I am Italian and DH is Greek, it was a given.. The almonds are also tradition in the Greek culture as well.. Though I have to look up the symbolization in the Greek culture (probably the Greek brides on the board could help with that...)
babybride
Posted:
Member since
Re: Almonds wrapped in tulle symbolize....
I think your poem is cute too!! I wanted to only do three almonds too since they were going on our favor but nonna told me Italians do 5 - Greeks do 3. Who knows? As long as it is indivisible your good. I love old traditions like this! Great job on the poem!!
RobNette
Posted:
Member since
Re: Almonds wrapped in tulle symbolize....
Posted by babybride
I think your poem is cute too!! I wanted to only do three almonds too since they were going on our favor but nonna told me Italians do 5 - Greeks do 3. Who knows? As long as it is indivisible your good. I love old traditions like this! Great job on the poem!!
Thanks!
hm...I'm surprised my mom didn't know anything about the 3 or 5 when we ordered them...we were trying to keep the size down. I should ask my nonna too! She'll probably be all annoyed.
oh well...that doesn't take much these days...she is 87!
