Wedding arrhae
Encyclopedia
Las arras, or Las arras matrimoniales (English: arrhae, wedding token
s, or unity coins) are wedding
paraphernalia
used in Christian wedding ceremonies in Spain
, Latin America
n countries, and the Philippines
. The tradition is also followed, with varying names and customs, in countries and communities bearing degrees of Hispanic influence. Traditionally, in Spain and Latin America, it is made up of thirteen gold coin
s and a "madrina de arras" (an ornate box or chest) in which they are placed; in the Philippines, it is in an ornate basket or pouch. After being blessed by a priest
, they are given or presented by the groom to the bride
.
meaning "earnest money", "bride price
", or "bride wealth". The custom of using coins in weddings can be traced to a number of places including Spain
and Rome
. The book An introductory dictionary of theology and religious studies claims that origin of arras was from gold rings or coins in Visigothic Law
. Whereas the Sex and Society claims the practice emerged from Frankish
marriage ceremonies.
The ancient Roman custom includes the act of breaking gold or silver equally in to two pieces. This signifies the promise to marry by two individuals. The Spanish tradition includes treating the set of coins as a representation of the bridal dowry
or a way of hastening prosperity, and is placed inside decorated boxes or trays. Perhaps making sense of it all Reynolds & Witte write in their book that the Franks during their wedding gave 13 pennies while the Spanish gave coins or some sort of marriage gift then these two practices merged in the 11th century.
The thirteen wedding unity coins symbolize Jesus
and the twelve apostles. The exchange of the coins represent the groom's promise to provide for his family, and the bride's trust in his ability to do so.
Filipino bridal entourages typically include an "arrhae-bearer" or "coin-bearer", a young page who functions similarly to the ringbearer. Unlike the ringbearer, he carries the actual arrahe on a pillow.
contract
. Legally, it could also mean money
or items with value given by a buyer to a vendor. The purpose of giving such a payment is to provide an evidence of "contract earnest
". It is usually part of a pre-contract.
Token coin
In the study of numismatics, tokens are coin-like objects used instead of coins. The field of tokens is part of exonumia. Tokens are used in place of coins and either have a denomination shown or implied by size, color or shape...
s, or unity coins) are wedding
Wedding
A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are united in marriage or a similar institution. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes...
paraphernalia
Paraphernalia
In modern usage, the word paraphernalia most commonly refers to apparatus, equipment, or furnishing used in or necessary for a particular activity as in, "Beth is such an avid sports fan that her walls are covered with baseball paraphernalia"....
used in Christian wedding ceremonies in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
n countries, and the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. The tradition is also followed, with varying names and customs, in countries and communities bearing degrees of Hispanic influence. Traditionally, in Spain and Latin America, it is made up of thirteen gold coin
Gold coin
A gold coin is a coin made mostly or entirely of gold. Gold has been used for coins practically since the invention of coinage, originally because of gold's intrinsic value...
s and a "madrina de arras" (an ornate box or chest) in which they are placed; in the Philippines, it is in an ornate basket or pouch. After being blessed by a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
, they are given or presented by the groom to the bride
Bride
A bride is a woman about to be married or newlywed.The word may come from the Proto-Germanic verb root *brū-, meaning 'to cook, brew, or make a broth' which was the role of the daughter-in-law in primitive families...
.
Origins and representation
The word arras is a Spanish wordSpanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
meaning "earnest money", "bride price
Bride price
Bride price, also known as bride wealth, is an amount of money or property or wealth paid by the groom or his family to the parents of a woman upon the marriage of their daughter to the groom...
", or "bride wealth". The custom of using coins in weddings can be traced to a number of places including Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Rome
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
. The book An introductory dictionary of theology and religious studies claims that origin of arras was from gold rings or coins in Visigothic Law
Visigoth
The Visigoths were one of two main branches of the Goths, the Ostrogoths being the other. These tribes were among the Germans who spread through the late Roman Empire during the Migration Period...
. Whereas the Sex and Society claims the practice emerged from Frankish
Franks
The Franks were a confederation of Germanic tribes first attested in the third century AD as living north and east of the Lower Rhine River. From the third to fifth centuries some Franks raided Roman territory while other Franks joined the Roman troops in Gaul. Only the Salian Franks formed a...
marriage ceremonies.
The ancient Roman custom includes the act of breaking gold or silver equally in to two pieces. This signifies the promise to marry by two individuals. The Spanish tradition includes treating the set of coins as a representation of the bridal dowry
Dowry
A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
or a way of hastening prosperity, and is placed inside decorated boxes or trays. Perhaps making sense of it all Reynolds & Witte write in their book that the Franks during their wedding gave 13 pennies while the Spanish gave coins or some sort of marriage gift then these two practices merged in the 11th century.
The thirteen wedding unity coins symbolize Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
and the twelve apostles. The exchange of the coins represent the groom's promise to provide for his family, and the bride's trust in his ability to do so.
Filipino bridal entourages typically include an "arrhae-bearer" or "coin-bearer", a young page who functions similarly to the ringbearer. Unlike the ringbearer, he carries the actual arrahe on a pillow.
Other usage
Depending on the culture in which this tradition is followed, the tradition of "arras" may be used on different occasions, although it is rare in most Hispanic countries. They may be used for quinceañeras, debutante balls for young ladies, and at Bat Mitzvahs.Other definitions
In legal terminology an "arras" is a civil lawCivil law (common law)
Civil law, as opposed to criminal law, is the branch of law dealing with disputes between individuals or organizations, in which compensation may be awarded to the victim...
contract
Contract
A contract is an agreement entered into by two parties or more with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing. Contracts can be made orally. The remedy for breach of contract can be "damages" or compensation of money. In equity, the remedy can be specific...
. Legally, it could also mean money
Money
Money is any object or record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a given country or socio-economic context. The main functions of money are distinguished as: a medium of exchange; a unit of account; a store of value; and, occasionally in the past,...
or items with value given by a buyer to a vendor. The purpose of giving such a payment is to provide an evidence of "contract earnest
Earnest payment
An earnest payment is a deposit towards the purchase of real estate or publicly tendered government contract made by a buyer or registered contractor to demonstrate that he/she is serious about wanting to complete the purchase...
". It is usually part of a pre-contract.