Deborah Chan
The colour white has been the dominant colour for Western wedding dresses since the mid-20th century, symbolising purity and grace. However, this was not always the case. In the past, brides wore blue wedding dresses, a tradition that is still followed in Ireland. The colour blue is believed to have been a symbol of love, purity, fidelity, innocence, devotion, unwavering loyalty, and protection from the evil eye. The tradition of wearing blue on one's wedding day is believed to have originated in Victorian England, with the Virgin Mary, who is often depicted wearing blue, as a source of inspiration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Blue |
| Symbolism | Love, purity, fidelity, innocence, protection, devotion, loyalty, optimism |
| Origin | Victorian England |
| Purpose | Bring good fortune, ward off bad vibes, protect against the evil eye |
| Examples | Blue wedding dress, blue earrings, blue shoes, blue flowers, blue ribbons, blue garter |
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What You'll Learn
Blue symbolises purity, fidelity and devotion
The colour blue has been associated with weddings since ancient times. In Christian iconography, the Virgin Mary is often depicted wearing blue, which symbolises purity, virtue, and her connection to heaven. This "Marian Blue" became so associated with holiness that artists rarely painted her wearing any other colour.
Blue has also been believed to protect against the "evil eye" in many cultures for centuries. The "evil eye" is a curse believed to be passed through a malicious glare that could make a bride infertile. In this way, blue symbolises protection, deflecting the evil eye and protecting any future children the couple might have.
In Old English tradition, blue symbolises love, purity, and fidelity, which are considered key qualities for a solid marriage. In Ireland, blue wedding dresses were once traditional, combining purity, folklore, elegance, and the enduring spirit of Irish culture. Blue was believed to symbolise not only purity but also fidelity and devotion, so wearing blue was believed to be a pledge of enduring love and a promise of a faithful marriage.
Blue was the most common colour for brides to wear before the Victorian era, when white became popularised by Queen Victoria's wedding gown. White symbolised virginity and was later adopted as the dominant colour for wedding dresses in Western cultures. However, in Eastern cultures, red is often chosen to symbolise auspiciousness, and colourful garments are imbued with symbolic meanings unique to each region.
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It was believed to protect against the evil eye
The colour blue has been associated with weddings for centuries. In the past, blue was the colour most associated with brides, and it was believed that wearing blue on your wedding day was a way to communicate your commitment to values such as innocence, devotion, and unwavering loyalty.
In ancient cultures, blue was believed to protect against the evil eye—a curse cast by envious looks. The belief in the evil eye has been present across many cultures for centuries, and blue has been considered a form of protection against it. The colour blue was thought to act as a stylish shield against misfortune and was seen as a form of magical protection. This belief in the protective power of blue is also reflected in the traditional rhyme, "Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue", where the "something blue" was meant to ward off the evil eye and bring good fortune to the bride.
The association of blue with purity and holiness can be seen in Christian iconography, where the Virgin Mary, a symbol of purity, is often depicted wearing blue. This "Marian Blue" became so associated with holiness that medieval and Renaissance artists rarely painted her wearing any other colour. This artistic tradition further solidified the connection between blue and purity in the Western imagination.
While the colour white has become the dominant choice for wedding dresses in Western cultures since the mid-20th century, symbolising purity and innocence, the tradition of wearing blue wedding dresses persists in certain cultures, such as in Ireland. Irish brides historically favoured blue dresses, and in recent times, there has been a resurgence of interest in this tradition, with contemporary Irish brides finding innovative ways to incorporate blue into their wedding attire, whether through subtle touches or by opting for a full blue dress.
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In Ireland, blue wedding dresses were once traditional
The specific shade of blue varied historically. In the medieval period, brides often wore deep, rich shades of blue, which were the colour of piety. It is worth noting that wealthier medieval brides wore red or gold, as these dyes were more expensive and rarer. All wedding dresses at the time featured intricate embroidery, symbolic motifs, and fabrics that spoke of both luxury and modesty.
The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses gained popularity in the 19th century due to the influence of Queen Victoria, who wore a white wedding gown when she married in 1840. Illustrations of the wedding were widely published, and many brides opted for white, following the Queen's choice. The colour white was later assumed to symbolise virginity, although it originally symbolised purity, piety, and fidelity, and was associated with the Virgin Mary, who was often depicted wearing blue in Christian iconography.
In recent times, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional customs, and contemporary Irish brides are finding innovative ways to incorporate blue into their wedding attire. Some are opting for a full blue dress, while others are adding subtle touches of blue through a sash, hairpiece, or delicate embroidery. This resurgence reflects a broader movement where modern brides blend old and new traditions, seeking to honour their heritage while expressing their individuality.
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White dresses became popular after Queen Victoria wore one in 1840
In Western cultures, white wedding dresses have been a symbol of purity and grace since the 19th century. White became the popular choice for wedding dresses in 1840 after Queen Victoria wore a white gown when she married Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Illustrations of the wedding were widely published, and many brides opted for white in accordance with the Queen's choice.
Before the Victorian era, brides wore a variety of colours on their wedding day. Black was popular in Finland, while medieval Irish brides often wore deep, rich shades of blue, the colour of piety. In ancient cultures, blue was believed to protect against the evil eye, a curse cast by envious looks. It was also associated with the Virgin Mary, who was often depicted wearing blue to symbolise purity, virtue, and her connection to heaven.
The colour blue also carried other symbolic meanings, including love, purity, innocence, unwavering loyalty, and fidelity—key ingredients for a lasting marriage, according to tradition. In Eastern cultures, red is often chosen for weddings to symbolise auspiciousness, while colourful garments are worn in the Middle East, imbued with symbolic meanings unique to each region.
The white wedding dress has evolved over time, shaped by aesthetic preferences, technological advancements, and cultural trends. Today, "wedding white" can include shades like eggshell, ecru, and ivory. However, white is not the universal colour for wedding dresses. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, white is used to symbolise purity, innocence, and cleanliness, and is worn by all participants in the wedding ceremony to represent unity and equality before God.
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In other cultures, red is the traditional colour for wedding dresses
In Western cultures, white wedding dresses have been a symbol of purity and grace since the 19th century, when Queen Victoria popularised the colour at her wedding to Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840. However, in Eastern cultures, red wedding dresses are often chosen to symbolise auspiciousness. These dresses represent a blend of heritage and contemporary trends, making them a pivotal aspect of bridal fashion and a reflection of evolving societal styles.
In Kurdish culture, a first-time bride traditionally wears a red dress to symbolise the postcoital bleeding she will experience when she loses her virginity. In contrast, a Kurdish bride who has been married before would customarily wear pink. While many Kurds associate red wedding dresses with impoverished Kurdish rural society, the colour red holds different symbolic meanings in other cultures.
In Bulgarian culture, while white is the most popular colour for wedding dresses, red is incorporated into the veil during traditional weddings. Similarly, in Finnish culture, black was a popular choice for wedding dresses before the Victorian era.
Blue was the colour most associated with brides long before white wedding dresses became the norm. Classical paintings of the Virgin Mary often depict her in a blue robe, symbolising innocence, devotion, and unwavering loyalty. Brides today may choose to incorporate "something blue" into their outfits through earrings, shoes, embroidered initials, garters, ribbons, or flowers tucked into their bouquet.
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Frequently asked questions
In Ireland, blue wedding dresses were worn as a symbol of purity, fidelity and devotion. The tradition combines purity, folklore, elegance and Irish culture.
In ancient times, blue was believed to protect against the evil eye—a curse cast by envious looks. It was seen as a magical protection.
Today, blue symbolises fidelity, loyalty, purity and innocence.
