Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe; so the adage goes about bringing luck to a bride on her wedding day. In the late 1800s, this rhyme was infused into Western wedding culture. It originated in England and made its way to North America shortly after. Each item provides its dose of luck for the bride:
- Something old nods to fertility and the health of a baby to come.
- Something new is an ode to a bright future.
- Something borrowed is traditionally lent from a happily married couple for good luck.
- Something blue symbolizes the commitment to the marriage.
- The sixpence is an emblem of coming prosperity.
