No one knows the exact time when spouses began to celebrate wedding anniversaries, giving them a symbolic meaning. However, already in the Middle Ages in Europe, the husband put a silver crown on his wife's head on the 25th wedding anniversary, but if both were lucky enough to live in marriage for even 50 years, he presented her with a golden crown. The meanings of wedding anniversaries have changed over time, and how many and varied they are today was largely determined by none other than jewelry manufacturers and sellers offering their own breakdowns that have gained popularity even today.

LĪGAVĀM offers a look back at the message of wedding anniversaries

First wedding anniversary - Paper wedding

The first year of marriage is like a white sheet of paper, symbolizing a new beginning and everything that will be experienced together. Like paper, it is fragile and can be easily cut, but has not yet been touched by the great storms of life. In a paper wedding, the couple gives each other beautiful stationery, books, calendars, albums or other gifts made of paper.

Second Wedding Anniversary - Cotton Wedding

As the couple's life becomes more and more interconnected, the second year of marriage symbolizes exactly that - the time when a stable and secure relationship develops between the couple. Because cotton is both strong and soft at the same time, the couple learns how to be flexible and adapt to each other's needs. At cotton weddings, various fabric products are usually given as gifts.

Third wedding anniversary - Leather wedding

Leather traditionally symbolizes protection. during this time, the couple's relationship has already strengthened, become more stable, because each partner takes care of the other. In leather weddings, leather products are usually given as a gift, such as a bag, shoes, etc.

Fourth wedding anniversary - Silk and flower wedding (elsewhere also - fruit wedding)

In the fourth year of marriage, the relationship of the spouses has symbolically begun to bloom like a flower and ripen like fruit. The fourth wedding anniversary is also called the linen wedding, because it is believed that prosperity enters the couple's home around this time. linen and silk products, flowers, jewelry are usually given on this anniversary.

Fifth wedding anniversary - Wooden or lilac wedding

A tree or lilac wedding is celebrated after five years of marriage. The tree symbolizes strength and wisdom. By the fifth year of marriage, the couple develops strong, deep roots and realizes the mistakes made in the first five years of marriage. The couple has learned the secret of a successful marriage - forgiveness.

Tenth Wedding Anniversary - Rose Wedding

The rose wedding seems to be one of the most commonly celebrated wedding anniversaries. Often, couples choose to celebrate this anniversary in an even more special way - by renewing their promises to each other and basically having another wedding. This is a worldwide trend. The tenth wedding anniversary symbolizes a relationship that has stood the test of time and built on strong foundations.

Fifteenth wedding anniversary - Glass and crystal wedding

Both glass and crystal symbolize clarity and transparency, reflecting the state of the couple's relationship. After 15 years of marriage, they know each other better than they know themselves. The cost of the crystal represents the sacrifices and investments the couple has made in their relationship over the past 15 years.

Twentieth Wedding Anniversary - Porcelain Wedding

Porcelain symbolizes the beautiful, elegant and fragile part of love. The porcelain is a reminder that marriage is not to be taken for granted, but something precious that must be nurtured to flourish again. Just like porcelain, twenty years of marriage has stood the test of time.

Twenty-fifth wedding anniversary - Silver wedding

Silver is one of the most precious metals known to man. It has always been held in high regard throughout the world, making it a particularly suitable symbol for a 25th wedding anniversary. Like silver, your marriage can shine in brilliance.

Thirtieth Wedding Anniversary - Pearl Wedding

A pearl is one of the finest and most precious gems imaginable. Symbolizing the hidden beauty, the pearl reminds the couple that true beauty lies within the person and the most valuable thing is the shared life experience with another person.

Thirty-fifth wedding anniversary - Canvas or coral wedding

Coral represents life force, loyalty and commitment - all things that are needed to keep a marriage alive.

Fortieth Wedding Anniversary - Ruby's Wedding

The ruby symbolizes love and fire and holds happiness and love within. on this wedding anniversary, couples often choose to exchange their wedding rings for new ones, often decorating them with precious stones.

Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary - Golden Wedding

A golden wedding is definitely one of the most important events in a couple's life, which is usually celebrated in a very festive atmosphere. It is the moment when you can renew your marriage vows and exchange your old wedding rings for new ones. Gold symbolizes prosperity, strength and wisdom, or all the basic values ​​that make up a marriage of 50 years.

Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary - Diamond Wedding

Diamonds represent just that - sixty years of marriage and a relationship that is still as sparkling as this gem.

Seventieth Wedding Anniversary - Diamond Wedding

A diamond is a cut diamond and that is exactly what a diamond wedding symbolizes - a relationship characterized by brilliance.

This summer, LĪGAVĀM also participated in the discussion of wedding anniversaries on Latvian Radio 1's "Family Studio", shared their experiences and listened to the stories of couples' experiences.

For inspiration, the full recording of the show can be found here.

Author of the article: LIENE PÄLĆA

Photo: Annie Morgan Photography