Symbolism in an Indian Wedding

Indian weddings symbolise the celebration of two families coming together through the marriage of the couple involved. It is filled with many rituals and ceremonies which are symbolic representations of social experiences and practices of the past. Generally all the ceremonies are categorised into pre wedding, wedding day and post wedding ceremonies and they differ from region to region.
 
In all Hindu functions you will find the parents-in-law apply tilak (a mark with a rich blood red turmeric powder called kumkum or vermilion) on the forehead of the bride and groom. This is probably symbolic of the traditions in the past wherein an animal was sacrificed before ceremonies and the blood was applied on the forehead to ward off evil.
 
Mehendi or henna is applied during the mehendi ceremony which is an evening of get together for the ladies from both the bride’s and the groom’s side. It is also an ice breaking session for the two families. The groom’s family would supply the henna. Traditionally both the mothers, of the bride and the groom, are the first to apply henna on the palms of the bride-to-be. Henna applied by the mother symbolises love and prosperity that the bride will take from her home. The henna applied by the mother-in-law symbolises the love with which the bride is welcomed into her new home. Darker the colour of the henna tattoo it is said more the mother-in-law will love the bride.
 
In the past the groom and his relatives would walk or come on horseback to the bride’s village to marry. This is where the tradition of baarat (groom’s party) and the groom coming on a horse originated from and still continues.
 
The colour that rules the Indian wedding is red. It is associated with love. You will find decorations, the flowers and the bride dressed in red.
 
A Hindu marriage is solemnised in accordance with rituals from the Vedas. It is performed with the help of a pundit (Hindu priest). The priest usually uses fresh flowers – to signify beauty, coconut – to signify fertility, rice, jaggery and other grains – to signify food required for sustenance of life and ghee(purified butter) – to feed the sacred fire during the ceremony. The fire is chosen as the symbol of God, dispensing darkness, providing warmth. Hindus believe God is the principle witness to the marriage and hence lighting of the fire is an indispensable part of the wedding.
 
The wedding ceremony usually involves a ritual where the bride and groom walk around the fire. This symbolises sharing, equality and unity within their marriage. Another part of the wedding ceremony is the tying of the mangalsutra or thali (a special necklace) by the groom around the bride’s neck and putting of sindhoor (vermilion) into the parting of the bride’s hair. These symbolise that the bride is a married woman.
 
Many of the traditions followed, come from practices not acceptable these days, but the rituals are carried out as symbolic traditions. They add to the colour and enjoyment of the event.