Origin of the Honeymoon.
One of the traditions most closely associated with weddings is the honeymoon, a trip where the couple has time alone and discovers places they will both enjoy. However, this is what is known today; if we delve into history, we will find a much richer past than we can imagine.
The complexity of its origin does not depend exclusively on how remote it is in time, but rather on the fact that different cultures throughout the centuries have had traditions that can be taken as an origin for what the honeymoon is today.
Food of Pharaohs and Romans
One of the cultures with which this practice can be related is the Egyptian, since it was customary that after his wedding, the pharaoh had to eat pure honey for 28 days to achieve marital fulfillment and happiness as a couple.
Another civilization where the consumption of this food in its purest form is notable is the Roman civilization. It was customary for the bride's mother to place a container of honey outside the newlyweds' bedroom to nourish them and soften the bride's skin, an action that would be repeated throughout an entire lunar cycle.
From Babylon to the Norse
Turning to honey processing, we find two cultures that have undoubtedly left other marks on history. The earliest mention of this ancient tradition is Babylon, where it was customary for the bride's father to give the groom honey beer for a whole month, to wish the couple good luck and fertility.
Meanwhile, in the northern lands, the Norse peoples replaced honey beer with mead. This time, the couple was expected to drink this spirit in order to obtain the blessing of the gods, which would bring fertility and prosperity to the new family.
Honey and the Moon as symbols
Before finishing with all these mentions and the most recent historical fact about the Honeymoon, it is necessary to mention two more facts, this time linked by symbolism rather than by food per se.
The first has to do with the Catholic faith, as the Vatican accepted this practice because honey is considered an incorruptible food and, unlike other sweets, it gains flavor over time. It refers to the ideal of life as a couple, a constant improvement, and an increase in the intensity of feelings.
The second has to do with the full moon and Germanic mythology, as they only held weddings on full moon nights, followed by a month of drinking honey liquor to achieve happiness and have offspring.
That's how we ended up in England, where the trip was used to visit distant relatives and inform them in person of the happy news. Over time, the places we visited would simply become places to spend time as a couple and enjoy the beginning of a life together.
This is how a range of stories, myths, and traditions have been created around the honeymoon, and although they come from different origins, they all have one thing in common: achieving happiness during that first month, which will last for the rest of your life.
The complexity of its origin does not depend exclusively on how remote it is in time, but rather on the fact that different cultures throughout the centuries have had traditions that can be taken as an origin for what the honeymoon is today.
Food of Pharaohs and Romans
One of the cultures with which this practice can be related is the Egyptian, since it was customary that after his wedding, the pharaoh had to eat pure honey for 28 days to achieve marital fulfillment and happiness as a couple.
Another civilization where the consumption of this food in its purest form is notable is the Roman civilization. It was customary for the bride's mother to place a container of honey outside the newlyweds' bedroom to nourish them and soften the bride's skin, an action that would be repeated throughout an entire lunar cycle.
From Babylon to the Norse
Turning to honey processing, we find two cultures that have undoubtedly left other marks on history. The earliest mention of this ancient tradition is Babylon, where it was customary for the bride's father to give the groom honey beer for a whole month, to wish the couple good luck and fertility.
Meanwhile, in the northern lands, the Norse peoples replaced honey beer with mead. This time, the couple was expected to drink this spirit in order to obtain the blessing of the gods, which would bring fertility and prosperity to the new family.
Honey and the Moon as symbols
Before finishing with all these mentions and the most recent historical fact about the Honeymoon, it is necessary to mention two more facts, this time linked by symbolism rather than by food per se.
The first has to do with the Catholic faith, as the Vatican accepted this practice because honey is considered an incorruptible food and, unlike other sweets, it gains flavor over time. It refers to the ideal of life as a couple, a constant improvement, and an increase in the intensity of feelings.
The second has to do with the full moon and Germanic mythology, as they only held weddings on full moon nights, followed by a month of drinking honey liquor to achieve happiness and have offspring.
That's how we ended up in England, where the trip was used to visit distant relatives and inform them in person of the happy news. Over time, the places we visited would simply become places to spend time as a couple and enjoy the beginning of a life together.
This is how a range of stories, myths, and traditions have been created around the honeymoon, and although they come from different origins, they all have one thing in common: achieving happiness during that first month, which will last for the rest of your life.
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