Wedding favours

It is a general tradition to give something in return to the guests. The tradition of giving return gifts in the term of favours has been around for hundreds of years.

Today, at the time of wedding each guest is given five sugar coated almonds. This is a symbol of health, wealth, fertility, happiness and long-life. In 19th century the favours were in the form of scarves, garters and gloves. The favours are attached with bride's gown. It was all over the gown fro top to bottom, and round the neck and sleeves. As soon as wedding ceremony gets over the whole company ran to her and pulled off the favours. This way she was stripped of all of them.

But the question is why only almonds? There are other items also which are much more valuable then almonds. But giving favours is nothing to do with the cost and availability. There is something else that makes it more precious and important. The connection of almonds with love goes back to Greek legend. There is a great story behind this.

This is related to an affair of a Greek man named Demophon, who fall in love with a Tracian princess, named Phyllis. Before they could marry Demophon's father died. He went on his father's funeral promising Phyllis, to return on particular date. Demophon fails to do so, in return Phyllis hanged herself. By seeing their love, the god transformed Phyllis into an almond tree. The grief shocked Demophon and offered a sacrifice to the almond tree.

Thus from there, the symbol of undying love started their journey. Pliny on his text in 77AD, advised that eating five almonds would avert drunkenness, therefore maybe the giving of the five almonds to wedding guests was to make sure that celebrations did not get out of hand.