Matchmaking, engagement and wedding are wonderful, beautiful ceremonies that have come to us from the depths of centuries. Each nation has its own character. However, something common is also observed.
Tili tili dough
So what does it mean to be engaged? When a pair of lovers decides that they are perfectly suited to each other, and therefore it is possible to formalize the relationship, they inform their relatives, friends and relatives. Or, as it was, for example, in the 19th century, a young man asks parents for their daughter’s hands and receives consent. This is announced to the girl, and if she does not mind, the couple becomes the bride and groom. This is what “engaged” means in the culture and traditions of the Russian people. The engagement could take place in a narrow family circle, but could turn into a big, fun holiday. From that moment on, the man who was officially regarded as the future husband got access to free communication with his chosen one. He could freely go with her for walks, escort to the theater.
At the "conspiracy" guy presented his beloved ring with some pebble mascot. The girl kicked back, and this mutual exchange seemed to signal to others about their feelings. After this ceremony, young people were more responsible to each other and more restrained in their usual surroundings. After all, what does it mean to be engaged? This means that now the lady should not flirt and flirt with other gentlemen, sit out day-by-day with friends. And the groom, instead of giving special signs of attention to extraneous beauties, should spend more time with the bride.
Of course, now times have changed a lot, mores have become freer, and people have become more civilized. And far from always, future spouses before the wedding have the opportunity to be near, and not every couple, strange as it sounds, requires mutual faithfulness. And yet, since the man and woman are engaged (which means they are engaged), therefore, they count on each other, see each other as a comrade, like-minded person, sexual partner, beloved person, potential parent of their children. By the way, in the West, engaged couples were almost considered husband and wife!
Contracts and Contracts
At the engagement, the nuances of when and where to hold the wedding, how many guests to call, what gifts to exchange, where to live young, and many others were usually discussed. A century and a half ago, during the conspiracy, it was discussed who to choose as planted parents, the size of the ransom for the bride and dowry, which the bridegroom would receive for her.
What does it mean to be engaged, the girl could feel very soon, because she was no longer allowed to go to the "games" or girlish gatherings, but she was forced to sit at the needle and the hoop for days. The bride should have had a fair supply of clothes, towels, tablecloths, bedding, and other belongings, and for the most part she would have to do all this with her own hands. However, today's newlyweds have no easier tasks. Even with the financial assistance of relatives for their wedding, outfits, etc. they need to earn by themselves. Of course, if they are not the children of millionaires. And at the modern engagement, the details of the marriage contracts, if they are going to be concluded, are also discussed. But most often on this day, people are simply happy about the birth of a new family.
Test of time
And yet, how to understand whether a girl is engaged or not? Very simple: yes, if she was offered. No, if she has not yet heard the cherished words, even though she lives with her boyfriend for six months, a year, and two. True, conspiracy also does not always mean the formalization of relations. Usually, there should be some time between the engagement and the wedding, so that young people can establish themselves in their feelings or reconsider them. Not without reason, after submitting an application to the registry office, the wedding should be only a month later. In general, young people can test each other for much longer, even for years. True, in such situations, love threatens to degenerate into friendship, partnership, or completely melt.
This is how the engagement custom is interesting and everything connected with it!