Another year of wedded bliss marks the faithfulness of the couple to their commitment to love and to hold until the end. Everybody is probably aware that a marriage reaching its 25th or 50th year is known as the silver and gold wedding anniversary, respectively. But, not all of us know the complete list of wedding anniversary symbols representing year one onwards, and that each symbol has its corresponding meaning.
Wedding anniversaries are full of traditions and symbols. Traditions can be those little practices couples try to relive as they commemorate the day they said “I do.” Anniversaries are associated with symbols reflecting the number of years of togetherness. In most cases, people choose what type of gifts to give couples based on their wedding anniversary symbols. In fact, gift shops are always ready to recommend something just by knowing the kind of wedding anniversary is being celebrated.
The Foundation of the Symbols
History shows that associating a symbol to wedding anniversaries had been an informal practice before it was officially recognized in 1897. In that year, Queen Victoria of England was celebrating the 60th year of her ascendancy to the throne and was dubbed as “diamond jubilee”. That time, the queen’s well-wishers gave her diamonds as gifts, and that’s where it began.
Since then, people started using symbols not only for royal anniversaries but for every year of marriage as well. In Germany, the foundation for the 25th anniversary can be traced to the tradition of honoring couples with a silver wreath. Throughout time, other materials were associated with the other wedding anniversary years until a table of wedding anniversary symbols has been established to reflect the contemporary standards of wealth.
Choosing the Perfect Wedding Anniversary Gift
Gift giving is another symbolic gesture to honor and celebrate the love and union between two people who withstood the test of time over the years. Gifts need not be lavish or expensive, especially if the couple is celebrating their first few years. For instance, to a couple celebrating their sixth year of marriage, something made of wood will be appropriate. Perhaps a wooden serving tray will do the trick, especially since wood can be classy.
There is really not much difficulty deciding on gifts for the 25th or the 50th wedding anniversary. However, most people are not knowledgeable about the other stones or metals associated with other anniversaries. Online, you will find a list of the wedding symbols that represent each year of marriage to guide you in choosing the wedding gift. The United Kingdom has a slightly different list from the following table of symbols generally accepted by American jewelers and gift consultants.
You can refer to the list when shopping for your choice of an anniversary present. However, the gift may not be strictly based upon these symbols. While they are full of meaning, it is still the thought that counts. Nothing can be more symbolical than a gift given with a sincere heart and the purest intention for the couple’s long lasting union even if the gift is devoid of any characteristic.