Deborah Chan
The white wedding dress has become a symbol of Christian weddings, with many brides wearing white to symbolise purity and innocence. However, this tradition is not explicitly biblical and is instead rooted in European culture. In fact, the association between white wedding dresses and virgin brides is relatively recent, with brides wearing richly coloured fabrics during the Medieval and Renaissance eras. Queen Victoria is credited with starting the trend of wearing white at weddings, and it quickly became the dominant colour for bridal gowns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Symbolism | Innocence, purity, virginity, forgiveness, a new creation in Christ |
| History | White wedding dresses became popular in the Western world after Queen Victoria wore a white dress for her wedding in 1840. |
| Practicality | White dresses were not practical in early ages as they were easily stained and ruined. |
| Culture | In Japan, white was the traditional colour for bridal ensembles before it became popular in the Western world. |
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What You'll Learn
Queen Victoria popularised the white wedding dress
The white wedding dress has become a symbol of the Christian wedding. White is often associated with purity and innocence, qualities that some Christians find important in brides. However, this association is rather recent. During the Medieval and Renaissance eras, brides avoided wearing white because it was associated with mourning. In the past, brides simply wore their best dress, which tended to be made from richly coloured fabrics such as silk, muslin, velvet and fur, and adorned with jewels and other obvious signs of wealth.
Queen Victoria is credited with popularising the white wedding dress in the Western world. On her wedding day in 1840, the 21-year-old queen wore a white satin gown with a deep flounce of Honiton lace, along with a Turkish diamond necklace and earrings, and her husband-to-be's sapphire brooch. She wrote in her journal:
> "I wore a white satin gown with a very deep flounce of Honiton lace, imitation of old. I wore my Turkish diamond necklace and earrings, and Albert’s beautiful sapphire brooch."
Although Victoria was not the first bride to wear white, her choice of attire was considered unusual. White was not a popular choice for bridal gowns at the time, and it was difficult to keep a white dress clean. As a result, white was viewed as a sign of wealth. Victoria's decision to wear white was likely influenced by a desire to showcase the delicate lace on her dress, which she continued to wear on special occasions throughout her life, including to the weddings of her children.
Following Queen Victoria's wedding, white quickly became the dominant colour for wedding dresses among the wealthy and fashionable. Fashion magazines promoted the idea that white was a symbol of purity and innocence, and that it reflected a bride's virginity. However, this association with virginity is believed to be more recent, with blue previously being the colour associated with purity and virginity.
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White symbolises purity and innocence
The white wedding dress is a relatively recent phenomenon, popularised by Queen Victoria in 1840. Before this, brides wore their best dress, usually in rich, bright colours, which were often reused as part of their normal wardrobe. White was impractical, as it was impossible to keep clean, and was even associated with mourning during the Medieval and Renaissance eras.
However, the white wedding dress has since become a symbol of Christian weddings, with the colour white associated with purity and innocence. Some Christians consider these qualities to be important in brides, and a white dress is seen as a representation of a bride's purity and innocence before God. One source states that although she had not led a life of purity, her white dress represented a new beginning as a born-again Christian.
Another source expresses the desire to teach her daughter to value her purity, which is symbolised by the white wedding dress. She questions whether it would be hypocritical for a bride who is not a virgin to wear white, but concludes that God's forgiveness makes believers 'whiter than snow'.
The colour blue was previously associated with purity and virginity, which is why the Virgin Mary is often depicted wearing blue.
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White was impractical in the past
In the past, wearing a white wedding dress was often impractical and unlikely for several reasons. Firstly, in ancient times, including the period of the Bible, acquiring and maintaining pure white fabric was challenging and expensive. The process of creating white fabric often involved laborious techniques such as hand-scouring, boiling, and bleaching in the sun to achieve and maintain its brightness. This made white garments costly and inaccessible to most people.
Secondly, white fabric was particularly difficult to keep clean, and in a time when laundering was a more arduous task without modern washing machines and detergents, keeping a white dress pristine would have been a significant challenge. Any stain or mark would have been highly visible, and given the limited access to effective cleaning methods, it was simply more practical to opt for darker or more muted colors that could conceal any dirt or stains.
Additionally, in biblical times and throughout much of history, the color white held various symbolic meanings that may not have aligned with the traditional concepts of a wedding. White could represent purity, but it was also associated with mourning and sacrifice. In some cultures and time periods, white was worn during funerals or rituals of sacrifice, so wearing white to a wedding might have carried unintended connotations that conflicted with the joyous nature of the occasion.
The practicality of choosing durable and easily accessible fabrics for clothing, especially for those of lower socioeconomic statuses, would have been a primary consideration. Brides, especially those of modest means, would have opted for dresses made from sturdier and more readily available fabrics, which were more likely to be found in earthy tones or darker shades. White fabric, being more delicate and requiring specialized treatment, would have been a less practical choice for everyday wear and special occasions alike.
Lastly, the tradition of wearing a white wedding dress as a symbol of purity and virginity may have been influenced by cultural and social norms of the time, rather than a direct interpretation of biblical teachings. In many societies, a bride's virginity was highly valued, and wearing white emphasized this aspect. However, this interpretation is not universally accepted, and some modern interpretations suggest that a white dress represents the joy and celebration of the wedding ceremony itself, rather than a specific symbol of purity.
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White was associated with mourning in the Medieval and Renaissance eras
The white wedding dress is a common tradition in Western weddings, with the bride's white dress seen as a symbol of purity and virginity. However, the association of white with purity and virginity is a recent development. During the Medieval and Renaissance eras, white was linked to mourning rather than purity.
In the Medieval and Renaissance periods, white was commonly worn by widows as a colour of mourning. This practice continued until the 16th century, with widows of the kings of France wearing white until Anne of Brittany. The colour white was also worn by knights, who paired it with a red cloak to signify their willingness to shed their blood for the king or Church. The monks of the Order of Saint Benedict also initially dressed in undyed white or grey wool robes before changing to black robes, which represented humility and penitence.
In the Renaissance, the symbolic meaning of colours was not absolute, and there were debates about their interpretations. Nevertheless, white was associated with mourning in this era. Mary, Queen of Scots, wore white to her wedding in 1559 and was accused of cursing her husband, as she was believed to have caused his death a few years later. Instead of white, brides during this period wore richly coloured fabrics made of silk, muslin, velvet, and fur, adorned with jewels and other signs of wealth.
The shift towards white wedding dresses in the Western world is attributed to Queen Victoria, who wore a white silk satin gown adorned with Honiton lace during her wedding in 1840. As the first royal to wear white, she set a trend that only the wealthy could initially afford due to the cost of materials. Over time, white wedding dresses became popular, replacing the previous tradition of brides wearing their best dress or a new dress in a darker colour.
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White dresses are not explicitly mentioned in the Bible
In the Medieval and Renaissance eras, white was even associated with mourning. When Mary, Queen of Scots, wore white at her wedding in 1559, she was accused of cursing her husband, and her favourite colour was believed to have caused his death a few years later. It was also impractical to wear white during this time, as it was challenging to keep clean, and the garment would quickly become soiled during the wedding celebrations.
The colour white at weddings is often associated with purity and innocence, qualities that some Christians consider essential in brides. However, this symbolism is not limited to Christianity, as blue was also associated with purity and virginity, which is why the Virgin Mary is often depicted wearing blue. In Japan, white has long been the colour of choice for bridal ensembles, even before it became popular in the Western world.
While the Bible does not explicitly mention white wedding dresses, some Christians may choose to wear white to symbolize their new identity in Christ and their spiritual purity, regardless of their past. This interpretation reflects a personal choice and cultural influence rather than a direct biblical instruction.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is not biblical. The tradition started with Queen Victoria, who wore a white wedding dress in 1840.
White wedding dresses are often associated with purity and innocence, qualities that some Christians find important in brides.
Some people believe that it is hypocritical for brides who are not virgins to wear white, as the colour is associated with purity and innocence. However, others argue that God's forgiveness makes people "whiter than snow".
No, before the 19th century, brides wore richly coloured fabrics made of silk, muslin, velvet and fur. Blue was associated with purity and virginity, and red was associated with fertility.
No, it is not a requirement for Christian brides to wear white. While white dresses have become a symbol of Christian weddings, other colours or white-with-colour dresses may be less traditional but are not less Christian.
