This post highlights the work required of my SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology students. Students were given the opportunity to research and identify the origins and meanings of a specific American phrase that they selected. Several students were given the opportunity to have their exemplary work featured on the blog, and the students who provided permission have their work featured here in this and the following blog posts. Please show your appreciation for their work through the comments.
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| Flower Girl (Source: Mindy Weiss Party Consultants) |
By: Samiyah Murphy
The phrase I chose was Flower Girl. I chose this phrase because it reminds me of weddings where a little girl walks down the aisle with flowers and she is called the Flower Girl. My definition of Flower Girl based off what I know about it is a little girl, between the ages of 4-8, who is designated the Flower Girl for a wedding. Usually, they pick a close family member to walk down the aisle with flowers, tossing them on the ground.
The history behind "Flower Girl" is interesting because after doing research I learned that the tradition actually comes from ancient Roman wedding ceremonies. Back in the Roman times, little girls would walk down the aisle with a basket of wheat or flowers during the wedding to symbolize good luck for the couple and blessing the marriage. In the present-day Flower Girl means something a little different; it is an innocent thing and adds a sweet visual to the wedding.
The meaning of the phrase and role attached to it changed over time because weddings became less focused on survival and family lineage and more about the romance and celebration. The meaning of Flower Girl really changed because society started viewing marriage differently as emotional and symbolic rather practical. Additionally, the role has stopped being so serious and less focused on keeping family lines together and more focused on visual storytelling and sentimental. One fun fact the presence of Flower Girl is her presence connects the past to the future, symbolizing hope to the future children they will have.
· Encyclopedia Britannica – Wedding Traditions https://www.britannica.com/topic/wedding-ceremony
· Smithsonian Magazine – History of Wedding Traditions https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-do-bridesmaids-wear-matching-dresses-180968776/
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