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Something Old and Something New: Illustrating Spousal Ceremonies in "Religious Ceremonies of the Known World" Main Menu Spousal Ceremonies: An Introduction More on "Religious Ceremonies of the Known World" The "Idolatrous Peoples" of America Middle Eastern and Asian Spousal Ceremonies Western Europe and Armenia: Europe I Anglicans and Ankara: Europe II

Armenian Marriage

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Bernard notes the extreme privacy of Armenian brides, who supposedly never show their faces to their bridegroom. Aine O'Connor
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1. Armenian Marriage
Translation: An Armenian maid going to be married, conducted to the church by two grave matrons. Aine O'Connor
Contents of this annotation:
1. Armenian Marriage
Translation: An Armenian going to be married, with a brideman carrying his sabre. Aine O'Connor
Contents of this annotation:
1. Armenian Marriage
Translation: An Armenian going to be married, with a brideman carrying his sabre. Aine O'Connor
Contents of this annotation:
1. Armenian Marriage
The necessary "gold or silver Net-Work" for the bridegroom. Aine O'Connor
Contents of this annotation:
1. Armenian Marriage
The young "brideman" assists the bride-groom. This tradition persists amongst some Armenians today--a younger relative will block family members of the bride or groom from entering until they give him a "bribe." Aine O'Connor
Contents of this annotation:
1. Armenian Marriage
The "serious matrons" assist the bride while she is on horseback on the way to the wedding. Aine O'Connor
Contents of this annotation:
1. Armenian Marriage

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Armenian Marriage             Armenian marriages of the period seem to have mostly been arranged. Bernard writes, “the married couple become actors only at the end of the play.” Interestingly, it is mothers, particularly mothers of the groom, who get the final say in a coupling, “with very seldom advice from any persons except their husbands.” Once the match has been decided, again, it is the mother who brings a ring to the home of the future bride. Rather than look at the actual ceremony, Picart instead illustrates how both the bride and groom get to the wedding ceremony, an fascinating choice. For some reason, the dress and look felt more significant to him than the ritual.

The Escorts: Two “serious” matrons escort the bride. Bernard writes of the larger marriage procession as well, saying that “two attendants” walk on the side of the horse upon which she rides—these may be those same attendants. A younger relative of the groom acts as his “brideman,” and carries a sword to fend off possible attacks. A version of this tradition is still a part of some Armenian wedding ceremonies today, although it is usually a bride’s younger relative, who guards the door, than the groom’s.
            The Veiled Bride: Supposedly, from the moment of engagement a young (virgin) bride will not even “show the whites of her eyes.” Thus, a full veil covering the face, like the one Picart creates, would be necessary. The bride must “conceal her charms and deceits” before the wedding night, per Bernard. During the wedding night, the groom puts out the candle before taking off the bride’s veil; Bernard notes, “travelers tell you that there are some Armenians who would not know their wives… every night they put the candle out before they throw off their veils, and seldom, if ever, show their faces by daylight.”
            Armenian marriage celebrations are sometimes three or four days long, and Bernard notes that great care must be taken so the bride does not fall asleep. The joyful celebration usually begins, per Bernard, on Monday mornings and ends Thursday evenings.
Gallery of Engravings