HOW TO DATE AROUND THE WORLD

Discover wildly different courting customs and the origin of international wedding traditions

- AILSA HARVEY

Modern dating, courtship and marriage practices vary greatly around the world, reflecting centuries of cultural, social and family values. For example, modern engagement rings are today a powerful symbol of love, commitment and promise for the future. These rings originated from ancient Egyptian beliefs that a vein directly connected the left ring finger to the heart. The Romans later continued this tradition, crafting rings of iron to place on a loved one's finger to symbolise eternal love and the promise of marriage.

Other historical practices have also played a part in influencing today’s engagements. In medieval Europe, handfasting was a common premarital exercise. A couple's hands were publicly bound together with rope, beginning their time together in a trial marriage, or engagement. This public commitment to marriage continues today, and handfasting is the origin of the phrase ‘to tie the knot’, meaning to get married.

In China during the Tang Dynasty, relationships were guided by relatives, as eventual marriage was seen as an alliance between two families. Before marriage, couples showed respect to their elders by hosting tea ceremonies and serving them tea. This remains a central part of many Chinese weddings today and involves couples hosting both families on the day of the wedding. Traditionally, the bride's family is served in the morning and the groom's in the afternoon.