Known around the world as the Tree of Knowledge, the Tree of Life and the Noble Tree, humans assign a variety of virtuous qualities to the leaf-topped sentinels that offer oxygen, food, medicine, shelter, tools and beauty to our lives. Embedded in symbolism, newlyweds around the world plant a tree on their wedding day to represent the essence of their marriage. With its strong roots, continual growth that requires nourishment and long lifespan, the wedding tree is a living testament to the love two people share.
Just as a tree's entangled roots burrow beneath the earth, marriage is the intertwining of two souls, lives, dreams and families. When the roots of a relationship establish a firm foundation, the bond flourishes. Growing stronger as it evolves, a tree remains flexible yet manages to provide shelter in the face of storms. Planting a wedding sapling in your yard also signifies your desire to put down roots so that you can start your own family tree.
With its heart-shaped, coupled leaves and egg-shaped fruit filled with tiny, winged seeds that are dispersed by water and wind, the flowering tree is a particularly appropriate symbol for love and fertility. The tree is also hardy with its regenerative roots that can survive wildfires and its nitrogen-rich leaves that tolerate pollution and prevent soil erosion.
The day before a wedding, the friends of a Czechoslovakian bride plant a tree in her yard then decorate it with colorfully painted eggshells and flowing ribbons that wave in the wind. Folklore foretells that the bride will live as long as the tree.
For more than 200 years, the residents of Dharhara village in India have planted a minimum of 10 mango or lychee trees on the day that every girl in the community has been born. Within five to seven years, the family is able to harvest the fruit for roughly $3,700 per year. In a culture where a steep dowry is still paid to the groom based on his caste and profession, the money is stored in a bank account, in the girl's name, to fund her education and pay for her wedding. Daughters are raised knowing which trees are theirs, and as early as age four, they tenderly nourish the saplings by regularly watering them.
Finally, after the wedding festivities conclude, the newlyweds plant a pine tree in their own yard to invite fertility and good luck into their family. They also typically bury the bulbs of Lilies of the Valley around their home. When the dainty, bell-shaped blossoms appear each year, the couple's love is said to be renewed.
Just as a tree's entangled roots burrow beneath the earth, marriage is the intertwining of two souls, lives, dreams and families. When the roots of a relationship establish a firm foundation, the bond flourishes. Growing stronger as it evolves, a tree remains flexible yet manages to provide shelter in the face of storms. Planting a wedding sapling in your yard also signifies your desire to put down roots so that you can start your own family tree.
Germany
Every time a German child is born, the family plants trees in its honor so that the child and the saplings mature together. A girl is given four trees and a boy is given six. Once a wedding date is set, the trees are sold to fund the dowry or cover the wedding expenses. In some communities, newlyweds are also required to plant 20 trees after the marriage ceremony.China
In China, the fast-growing Empress Tree is planted in the ground when a girl is born. Once she receives a marriage proposal, the ornamental wood is harvested for sculptural carvings and musical instruments that are then sold to pay for the dowry.With its heart-shaped, coupled leaves and egg-shaped fruit filled with tiny, winged seeds that are dispersed by water and wind, the flowering tree is a particularly appropriate symbol for love and fertility. The tree is also hardy with its regenerative roots that can survive wildfires and its nitrogen-rich leaves that tolerate pollution and prevent soil erosion.
Czechoslovakia
The day before a wedding, the friends of a Czechoslovakian bride plant a tree in her yard then decorate it with colorfully painted eggshells and flowing ribbons that wave in the wind. Folklore foretells that the bride will live as long as the tree.
India
For more than 200 years, the residents of Dharhara village in India have planted a minimum of 10 mango or lychee trees on the day that every girl in the community has been born. Within five to seven years, the family is able to harvest the fruit for roughly $3,700 per year. In a culture where a steep dowry is still paid to the groom based on his caste and profession, the money is stored in a bank account, in the girl's name, to fund her education and pay for her wedding. Daughters are raised knowing which trees are theirs, and as early as age four, they tenderly nourish the saplings by regularly watering them.
Netherlands
Trees hold great significance in the Netherlands, so they typically make numerous appearances throughout a wedding. Before the marriage ceremony, the bride and groom sit on a throne beneath a cluster of pine trees to welcome their guests and accept their blessings. During the reception, guests write their wishes for the happy couple on paper leaves that are attached to colorful ribbons. Throughout the evening, guests tie the messages onto a beautifully decorated tree branch that sits near the newlywed table.Finally, after the wedding festivities conclude, the newlyweds plant a pine tree in their own yard to invite fertility and good luck into their family. They also typically bury the bulbs of Lilies of the Valley around their home. When the dainty, bell-shaped blossoms appear each year, the couple's love is said to be renewed.
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