A wedding anniversary is the anniversary of the date that a wedding took place. Couples often mark the occasion by celebrating their relationship, either privately or with a larger party. Special celebrations and gifts are often given for particular anniversary milestones (e.g., 25, 40, 50, 60, or 70 years). In some cultures, traditional names exist for milestone anniversaries; for instance, fifty years of marriage may be known variously as a "golden wedding anniversary", "golden anniversary" or "golden wedding". At these milestones, certain couples may choose to renew their marriage vows, which is often done through a church service offered in various Christian denominations (such as the Evangelical-Lutheran Churches or the Catholic Church).
History, traditions and recognition Associating a wedding anniversary with precious metals such as "gold" (50 years) or "silver" (25 years) has been documented in Germanic countries since the 1500s.Hanns Bächtold-Stäubli i Folklore suisse. Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Volkskunde, 11. årgang (1921) S. 51–52. In English-speaking countries, the tradition of associating gift-giving with wedding anniversaries became more prevalent in the nineteenth century. Additionally, the gifts associated with each anniversary expanded. Paper was recommended for the first anniversary, wood for the fifth anniversary and tin for the tenth anniversary.
In the twentieth century, increased commercialization led to the inclusion of more anniversaries to a list of predetermined gifts. By the early 1900s, gifts of straw for the second anniversary, candy for the third, leather for the fourth, flowers for the seventh, linen for the 12th, crystal for the 15th and china for the 20th were suggested. Today, lists cover every year up to the 50th anniversary and beyond.
In some parts of the world, couples can receive special recognition from government officials for particular milestones. In the Commonwealth realms, a couple can receive a message from the monarch for 60th, 65th and 70th wedding anniversaries and for any wedding anniversary thereafter. This is done by applying to Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom or to the governor-general's office in the other Commonwealth realms.
In Australia, couples can receive a congratulatory letter from the governor-general on the 50th and all subsequent wedding anniversaries. The prime minister, the Leader of the Opposition, local members of both state and federal parliaments as well as state governors may also send salutations for the same anniversaries.
In Canada, couples can also receive a message from the governor-general for the 50th anniversary and every fifth anniversary after that.
In the United States, a couple can receive an anniversary greeting card from the president for the 50th and all subsequent anniversaries.
Catholics may apply for a papal blessing through their local diocese for wedding anniversaries of a special nature (25th, 50th, 60th, etc.).Office of Papal Charities. Vatican.va. Retrieved on 2015-05-13.
Commercial gifts
Some significant anniversaries have names that suggest appropriate or traditional gifts, such as a silver or platinum jubilee. Gifts may be exchanged by spouses or given by guests at parties; they may also influence an anniversary party's theme or decoration. These gifts vary in different countries, but some anniversary years now have well-established connections common to many nations; a popular analogy are the numerous jubilees thrown to celebrate anniversary milestones in the reigns of English and British monarchs, all of which are also associated with precious stones or metals.
25th anniversary: silver 40th anniversary: ruby 50th anniversary: gold 60th anniversary: diamond 70th anniversary: platinum
In English-speaking countries, the fifth-year gift (wood) was cut on the day of celebration and then presented to the wife as a finished item before the next two quarter days had passed.
In 1937, the American National Retail Jeweler Association (now known as Jewelers of America as a result of an organizational merger) introduced an expanded list of gifts. The revamped list gave a gift for each year up to the 20th and then for every fifth anniversary after that.Lee, Cookie (October 2001). Wedding Anniversaries: From Paper to Diamond. Ryland Peters & Small.
In South India, 60th and 80th wedding anniversaries are accompanied by large celebrations similar to weddings. In Tamil Nadu, there is a famous Thirukadaiyur Temple where special pujas are conducted for wedding anniversaries.
Traditional anniversary gifts
Year Traditional (US)"Wedding Anniversaries," compiled by librarians at the Chicago Public Library's Information Center (December 2000)Anderson, Charles. "The Exchange," RQ 25 (1985): 175.The World Almanac and Book of Facts, Mahwah, New Jersey: World Almanac Books, 1997.World Book Encyclopedia, 1997 ed., s.v. "Wedding Anniversary". Traditional (UK)Pears Cyclopaedia, 1978–79 edition, "Wedding Anniversaries". L128. 1st Paper Cotton or paper 2nd Cotton Paper or cotton 3rd Leather 4th Fruit and flowers Linen, silk 5th Wood 6th Iron Sugar 7th Wool, copper Wool 8th Bronze Bronze, salt 9th Pottery Copper 10th Tin, aluminum Tin 11th Steel 12th Silk Silk and fine linen 13th Lace 14th Ivory 15th Crystal 20th China 25th Silver 30th Pearl 35th Coral 40th Ruby 45th Sapphire 50th Gold 55th Emerald 60th Diamond 65th Blue sapphire 70th Platinum"The platinum wedding anniversary of Jim and Gladys Till". Lancaster Guardian, 8 January 2008."Tenor and wife toast 70 years of marriage". North West Evening Mail, 15 August 2008."They've been around the world in 70 years". Portsmouth News, 29 July 2008. 75th Diamond, gold 80th Oak
Flower gifts Flowers are also associated with wedding anniversaries up to and including the 50th anniversary.
Year Flower 1st Carnation 2nd Cosmos 3rd Sunflower 4th Geranium 5th Daisy 10th Daffodil 15th Rose 20th Aster 25th Iris 30th Lily 40th Gladiolus 50th Yellow rose with violets
See also Hierarchy of precious substances
References
External links