As a Houston, Texas based destination wedding planner, we often share world stories of traditions, customs and symbolism with our clients. The circle is one of my favorites.
A cycle, completion, wholeness, unity, centering, unending…
These are some of the things that come to my mind in reference to the circle. Isn’t it ironic that these may also be referenced to love and marriage?
The Circle…
With this ring…
The wedding band is the most familiar circle symbol around. The symbol of everlasting love.
Family circle and circle of friends…
Your circle of family and friends will be your never ending support system as you begin the next chapter of your life. JP Photography captures this symbolism beautifully in this image. The Polish wedding unveiling ceremony offers a good example of incorporating this symbolism.
Hawaii’s Circle of Flowers and Wedding Leis…
In Hawaii, the circle of flowers is also known as the circle of love and serves as the alter in which the couple is Maui’d. Just kidding, married. As with the traditional wedding band, it holds a symbol of everlasting love. Your circle of family and friends my participate by adding single blooms to the circle shape arrangement.
The couple’s exchange of wedding leis at the beginning of the ceremony symbolizes love, commitment and respect.
The Wedding Lasso…
Made as two circles joined into a figure eight shape, the lasso is often seen in Catholic Spanish/Hispanic and Philippine (Cord and Veil Ceremony) wedding ceremonies. My Spiritual Wedding offers the pictured example below.
The Circle of Life…
Marriage is a natural part of life’s cycle. Perhaps the biggest circle symbol, we know this cycle as the “circle of life.” It most often happens just past the life’s autumn and unselfish surface. Adulthood enhances our ability to swim through our life’s growth processes. This is our life’s full moon and our prime as our paths are ready to embrace marriage as a new chapter of our life’s cycle.
From the Greek wedding tradition of the couple circling the alter to the Indian wedding tradition of the couple’s exchange of garland, the circle is used in a variety of symbols, customs and beliefs. Yet all carries a heavy foundation to begin a new chapter of life as husband and wife. How can you be inspired by the circle?
[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]
Photo Credits ::
Wedding Band :: Posh Woman
Bride with Bridal Party :: JP Photography
Leis and Circle of Flowers :: Maui-Angels.com
Wedding Lasso :: My Spiritual Wedding
Circle of Life :: Will return to update : Amended from original version
