This rhyme dates back to Victorian England, where it became customary for brides to carry five objects as tokens of good fortune. The phrase refers to these symbolic items, each representing different hopes for the bride's new journey:
Something old refers to a connection to the bride's past, often from family, symbolizing continuity.
Something new symbolizes optimism and hope for the future.
Something borrowed is typically an item from a happily married friend or relative, meant to bring good luck.
Something blue points to the belief that Blue symbolizes fidelity, purity, and love.
A sixpence in her shoe symbolizes a coin representing financial prosperity and wealth in the couple's future. This part of the tradition is more common in British weddings.
The rhyme has woven itself into literature, films, and television as a reference to weddings, superstitions, and romance. For example, in Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, various symbols of love and fidelity are discussed in relation to wedding traditions. In more modern pop culture, movies like Four Weddings and a Funeral and Sex and the City reference the rhyme to emphasize the sentimental and sometimes humorous side of marriage rituals.
The phrase has evolved from a superstition to a beloved part of wedding culture, often serving as a fun checklist for brides-to-be. It's a tradition steeped in meaning, representing love, continuity, and hope for the future, while adding a touch of charm to the ceremony.
The tradition has been depicted in many wedding scenes in popular culture. For example:
In the popular sitcom Friends: In the episode where Monica marries Chandler, the group scrambles to find her something borrowed and blue.
In How I Met Your Mother, Ted gives Robin the “something old” item at Barney and Robin’s wedding as a sentimental gesture.
In the movie My Best Friend’s Wedding, the rhyme plays into the pressure of getting everything perfect for the big day.
This simple rhyme continues to be a staple in wedding customs, blending the old with the new for modern brides.
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