THROWING OLD SHOES AND RICE.

Manawatu Herald, 22 February 1898, Page 4

THROWING OLD SHOES AND RICE.

VUaa nonorcci Easterns That Prevail to

Homo Extent at tho Present Day.

Tho throwing of an old shoo after a no, vly married couple on their departure Is general nil over England. In. Kent the custom is accompanied by a little more dottiil than Is usually, observed in other parts oi! the country. Tho principal bridesmaid throws the shoo. The other bridesmaids run nftor it, tho belief being that tho one who gets it will be tho first to be married. Sho then throws the shoe among the gentlemen, and ifc is supposed that the one who is hit will also be married before the others.

The enstom of showering rico over the bride and bridegroom is a universal one, although in some parts wheat is substituted. This was formerly general in Nottinghamshire and Sussex. The practice appears to find a parallel in Poland, where, after the nuptial benediction ha? been given by tho priest, the father roceives tho newly married couple at the door of their house and strews some barloycorns over their heads. These corns aro cnrofully gathered up and sown. If thoy grow, it is considered an oraon that the married pair will enjoy a life of happiness.

Grain of any sort is symbolical of plenty, and no doubt at different periods and in different countries that grain has been selected which could bo procured the most easily. An old Spanish ballad of the sixteenth century" — "Tho Cid's Wedding" — refers to this custom, except that ears of wheat appear to havo been used instead of thrashed wheat:

AJI dovr-u the street the ears of wheat are round Xiinona flying.