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The word honeymoon is thought to have originated in medieval times, when it was common for newlywed couples to drink mead (a fermented honey beverage) for a moon cycle (30 days) after their wedding. This tradition was believed to bring good luck and fertility to the couple. The term honeymoon can also be traced to the Old English hony moone, where hony, a reference to honey, refers to the indefinite period of tenderness and pleasure experienced by a newly wed couple, and how sweet the new marriage is.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First recorded use of the word honeymoon | 1791, in a translation of German folk stories |
| First recorded native-English use of the word | 1804 |
| Origin of the word | Medieval times |
| Original meaning | Couples drinking mead for a moon cycle after their wedding |
| Modern meaning | A holiday taken by newlyweds to celebrate their marriage |
| Modern purpose | Varies by culture; getting to know one another, becoming sexually intimate, spending time to relax, creating shared memories, adjusting to married life |
| Popularity | 75% of couples in a 15-country survey took a honeymoon |
| Average spend | $4500 in the US |
| Alternative trends | "Solomoon" or "unimoon", a separate solo holiday |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage by capture
The term "honeymoon" refers to the period of time immediately following a wedding, when the couple typically takes a romantic trip or enjoys a period of happiness and relaxation together. The origin of the term can be traced back to ancient traditions, where "honeymoon" referred to the first month after marriage, a time when the couple would consume honey wine or mead each day to promote fertility and ensure a fruitful marriage. This tradition was believed to bring good luck and blessings to the new union.
Now, let's focus on the concept of "Marriage by Capture" and its possible relation to the term "honeymoon." Marriage by capture, also known as marriage by force or marriage by abduction, is a practice with a long history in various cultures worldwide. It involves the abduction or capture of a woman or man by a potential spouse, often with the intention of making them a wife or husband. While the specifics of this practice vary across different societies and historical periods, it often involves a planned strategy and the involvement of family or community members.
In some cases, marriage by capture was a formal tradition with established rules and rituals. For example, in certain ancient cultures, a man might "steal" his bride from her family or community with the intention of immediately marrying her. This act could be part of a cultural ritual or a means of solidifying social or political alliances between families or tribes. In medieval Europe, a similar practice known as "bride kidnapping" occurred, where a man would abduct a woman, sometimes with and sometimes without her consent, eloping to another village to get married and live together.
It's important to note that in modern times, marriage by capture is widely considered a form of forced marriage and is illegal in many countries. However, in some traditional societies, variations of this practice still exist, often involving negotiations and consent between families, even if the individuals involved do not initially give their consent. In these cases, the abductor may seek forgiveness and arrange a marriage with the family, or the family may pursue the abductor for the return of their relative, potentially leading to a negotiated marriage.
While the concept of marriage by capture may seem unconventional or even unacceptable in some modern societies, it has played a significant role in shaping marriage traditions and customs throughout history. It serves as a reminder of the diverse and dynamic nature of cultural practices surrounding marriage across different eras and regions.
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Mead, or honey wine
Mead is possibly the most ancient alcoholic drink, with mentions of it in the Rigveda, dated to roughly 2000 BCE, and evidence of its preparation by the Abri, a northern subgroup of the Taulantii, known to ancient Greek writers. Mead was also said to be the preferred drink during the Golden Age of ancient Greece, and Aristotle and Pliny the Elder discussed it in their works.
The English word "mead" comes from the Old English "meodu" or "medu" and the Proto-Indo-European "*médʰu". The Chinese word for honey, "mì" (蜜), is also a cognate with the English word "mead", borrowed from the extinct Indo-European Tocharian word "mit".
The process of making mead often involves fermentation at similar temperatures to wine, and the yeast used is often identical to that used in winemaking, particularly for white wines. The specific gravity of the mead can be measured before and throughout the fermentation process to determine the proportion of alcohol in the final product.
There are many different styles of mead, and various processes are employed in its production. Some common types of mead include metheglin, which contains spices, and melomel, which contains fruit.
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The June full moon
The word "honeymoon" is thought to have originated in medieval times. Back then, the moon was used to measure time, and a full cycle was approximately 30 days. Newlywed couples would drink mead, a fermented beverage made from honey, for one of these moon cycles after their wedding. This tradition was believed to bring good luck and fertility to the couple, and it was also seen as an aphrodisiac. The drinking of mead for a moon cycle may have originated in the 5th century when guests would gift the couple with a month's worth of this honey-based drink.
The term "honeymoon" first appeared in a translation of German folk stories in 1791 and then in native English in 1804. The word comes from Old English, with "hony" referring to the sweetness and pleasure of a new marriage, and "moone" alluding to the fleeting nature of this period before love might wane. According to some sources, the custom also stems from marriage by capture, where the groom would hide his bride to impregnate her without her family's consent, and this period of hiding was called the honeymoon.
Today, the honeymoon is a holiday taken by newlyweds to celebrate their marriage and spend quality time together. It is often an exotic or romantic getaway, creating lasting memories and strengthening their bond. While the traditional honeymoon lasted about a month, modern honeymoons can be shorter, ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on the couple's preferences and resources.
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Waning love
The term "honeymoon" has a complex etymology, with some sources suggesting that it has cynical origins. The word is thought to derive from the Old English "hony moone", with "hony" or "honey" referring to the "indefinite period of tenderness and pleasure experienced by a newly wed couple". The "moone" part of the phrase refers to the fleeting nature of this period, alluding to the idea that the "first month of marriage is the sweetest".
The medieval belief that love wanes or fades like the moon is reflected in early uses of the word. In 1542, Samuel Johnson wrote:
> "The first month after marriage, when there is nothing but tenderness and pleasure; originally having no reference to the period of a month, but comparing mutual affection of newly-married persons to the changing moon which is no sooner full that it begins to wane…"
Author Richard Huloet's 1552 description of the term further emphasises this idea:
> "Hony mone, a term proverbially applied to such as be newly married, which will not fall out at the first, but th’one loveth the other at the beginning exceedingly, the likelihood of their exceadings love appearing to aswage, ye which time the vulgar people call the hony mone."
These early uses of the word "honeymoon" suggest that it was originally intended as a warning to newlyweds about the fleeting nature of love and the potential for it to wane over time. The notion of waning love is also present in the medieval belief that love tends to fade like the full moon.
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Modern-day honeymoons
The modern honeymoon is a highly personalised experience, with couples designing their own itineraries to include a mix of relaxation, adventure, cultural immersion, and new learning opportunities. Beach resorts are a popular choice for many, and honeymoons contribute $12 billion annually to the travel industry. On average, couples in the United States spend $4500 on their honeymoons.
While honeymoons are most prevalent in European countries, they are less common in India, with fewer than half of Indian couples choosing to take one. The duration of a honeymoon can vary, with modern honeymoons ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on the couple's preferences, schedules, and resources.
In the 21st century, an emerging trend is the "solomoon" or "unimoon", where newlyweds take separate, solo holidays. This alternative is particularly suited for couples who cannot agree on a destination or prefer to spend time alone after the whirlwind of wedding planning. Regardless of the cost or duration, studies suggest that going on a honeymoon is associated with a lower risk of divorce, highlighting the value of this transition period in a couple's journey towards married life.
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Frequently asked questions
The term honeymoon refers to the holiday taken by newlyweds after their wedding to celebrate their marriage.
The word honeymoon is thought to have originated in medieval times. At that time, it was common for newlywed couples to drink mead (a fermented beverage made from honey) for a moon cycle (30 days) after their wedding. This tradition was believed to bring good luck and fertility to the couple.
The custom of honeymooning is thought to have originated in early-19th-century Britain, when upper-class couples would take a "bridal tour", sometimes accompanied by friends or family, to visit relatives who had not been able to attend the wedding.
The modern purpose of honeymooning varies by culture. For those in an arranged marriage, a honeymoon is a time to get to know one another. For some cultures, it is a time for the couple to become sexually intimate. For other cultures, the purpose of the honeymoon mainly involves spending time together and creating shared memories.
