The Concept of Gravity's Existence

Lively, brilliant and contagiously festive. Marriages consist of these factors plus are one of the most important occasions for all those involved especially the bride and groom. In the past, marriages reflected the values and customs of a culture in their respective country where inter-religion marriages were virtually unheard of. In today's multicultural society and the presence of Western influences in Eastern countries, marriages take into account all the different backgrounds, regional variations and religious rituals. For these reasons, it is daunting to give a definite depiction of a Canadian-Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh marriage ceremony. Each are truly unique and special in their own way yet share a few similarities while the differences are numerous. Regardless of the variations, marriage for most have become a Ð''rite of passage'. Common elements of ritual, symbolism, social gathering and vows seems to be an underlying thread weaving it's way through most marriages. The concept of unifying the two people. Stated by Guru Ram Das Ji, Ð''A husband and wife are not two people who live together. A husband and wife, one spirit living in two bodies.'

In terms of selecting that Ð''special someone', each culture has a unique way of achieving this. In Canadian-Christian society, it is not uncommon to court, date and perhaps cohabit before marriage (love is given a chance to be built), where the individual has more of a say on whom they spend the rest of their life with. Propinquity, plays a role in this situation where most mates are found in close residential proximity. A distinct contrast is apparent in Indian culture, where the individual usually has very little, if all, say in whom they are getting married to (a point most evident when it comes to females). Families play a key role on choosing mates for those deemed ready for marriage. In terms of proximity, marriages really are not focused on who is where (marriages to mates Ð''back home' (ex: India) occur frequently) yet are rather based on what each brings to the table (ex: financial stability) and where love in the beginning is usually non existent and is up to the couple to conceive post ceremony.

Within each of the Canadian-Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh marriages, certain rituals are performed by the bride & groom, parents or religious leader (ie. priest, imam or qazi, pandit or puchari or granthi.) The ritualistic elements of a marriage carry sacred meaning. They are performed in strict guidance with the holy books including the Bible, Koran, Vedas or Guru Granth Sahib.

Some of the common rituals shared include the Ð''father giving away the bride'. For example, in a Canadian-Christian marriage it is often the father who walks the daughter down the aisle before she marries. According to Hindu customs, the Kanya (daughter) Daan (give away) is a ritual that is preformed as the father officially passes his daughter to the groom.

Elements of spiritual unification by means of physical actions performed in the marriage ceremonies are also common. In the Sikh marriage ceremony, the Palla Lagi takes place which is when the bride's father passes her a palla (red material) that the groom is holding. This palla is carried for the remainder of the marriage ceremony. In a way, binding two together physically as well as spiritually.

Regardless of religion, marriage ceremonies are peppered with symbolism. For example, the colour red is predominant in Indian marriages, particularly Indian bridal wear because it is associated with life and joy. Canadian-Christian weddings on the other hand, bridal wear most commonly comes in shades of white or ivory Ð'- symbolic of purity. In Indian ceremonies, it is common to see the brides chuuda (red & ivory bangles) dipped in milk. Foods such as milk and honey symbolize sweetness, purity and prosperity and are used commonly in rituals throughout India. Likewise, rice and other grains are also used both in Western and Eastern wedding customs. In Canadian-Christian weddings, rice is thrown at the bride and groom as they exit the church. In Eastern ceremonies, brides will often throw handfuls (usually 5) of rice as they leave their parents home at the Doli / Vidaii. Rice and other grains are symbolic of harvest, fruitfulness and fertility. No wedding, ritual or custom regardless of the religion is complete without flowers. Flowers signify the beauty of life. A wedding is definitely the perfect time to remember how beautiful life is.

Weddings have been and still are major focal points for social gatherings. They are a perfect opportunity to bring friends and relatives from near and far together. They allow 'close ones' to celebrate and witness the promise the bride and groom make to one another. The promise may be verbal or silent depending on the culture and religion. The promises and vows and of course the marriage certificate are other integral factors of the most marriage ceremonies.

In some instances such as in the Canadian-Christian religion the priest will ask the bride and groom to verbally state the vows that