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Show Cake rituals still performed By SUSAN M. DAVIS Copley News Service The wedding cake is an ancient feature of the marriage feast, symbolic of good fortune and fertility. Customs that originated years ago are still practiced today and the "luck bringing" attributes of the wedding cake are believed by many. It's interesting to note that the first slice of cake always must be cut by the bride or "the marriage will be childless." Usually the groom assists her by placing his hand on top of hers. Historically, if the groom had his own knife, he used it to do the cutting. If he was a soldier, he used his sword. After the cake has been cut, everyone at the reception must eat a portion, thus ensuring good fui tune. It is considered unlucky to refuse a slice, both for the newlywed couple and for the guest. Often, pieces of cake are boxed up for the guests to take home, enabling them to hold onto the fortuity promised by the cake. Belief has it that the bride should always keep a piece of the cake to ensure that her husband will remain faithful to her. One notion that has been handed down through generations is that if a young girl sleeps with a piece of wedding cake under her pillow, she will dream that night of her Juture husband. One of the more unusual customs can be traced back to Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, England. Traditionally, a plate of cake was flung over the bride's head as she returned from the church and omens were read from the way the plate shattered. The more fragments found, the happier and fuller the marriage would be. If the plate failed to break, it was considered a bad sign; a failure in the marriage. However, some quick-thinking person would usually rush in and immediately stomp on the plate to avert this evil omen! Naturally, the wedding cake should be made of only the finest ingredients. Refined flour and the richest mixture possible indicate abundance both in the cake and in the marriage. A lot of thought and caring must go into this special dessert to be worthy of such a momentous occasion. |