12019-10-14T17:12:44+00:00Armenian Marriage4plain2019-12-09T20:49:25+00:00Armenian 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.
