THROWING OLD SHOES AND RICE.

Manawatu Herald, 17 February 1900, Page 2

T HROWING OLD SHOES AND RICE.

'Jii.io nonorcd "astoms Tiiat Prevail to Homo Extent at tho Present Day. 'i'ho throwing of an old shoo after a ne.vly married couple on their departure Is general nil ovor England. In. Kent the custom is accompanied by a little more dotail than is usually observed in other parts ci" the country. Tho principal bridesmaid throws the shoo. The other bridesmaids run after it, tho belief being that tho one vrho gets it will be tho first to be married. Sho tlien throws the shoe among the gentlemen, and it is supposed that the one who is hit will also bo married before the others. Tho custom of showering rico over the bridu and bridegroom is a universal one, although in some parts wheat is substituted. This was formerly general in Nottinghamshire and Sussex. Tho practice appears to find a parallel in Poland, where, after tho nuptial benediction has been given by tho priest, tho father roceives tho newly married couple at the door of their house and strews somo barloycorns over their beads. These corns aro carefully gathered up and sown. If they grow, it is considered an omon that the married pair will enjoy a life of happiness. Grain of any sort is symbolical of plenty, and uo doubt at different periods and in different countries that grain has been selected which cou-d bo procured tho 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 usod instead of thrashed wheat: £Jl down the street the ears of wheat are round Xiiiiona flying.