Weddings are an important event in every culture and tradition. From exchanging vows to walking down the aisle, every aspect of a wedding ceremony is unique and special. One of the most beautiful and charming aspects of a wedding is the prayer blessing. The Cherokee prayer blessing for a wedding is one such blessing that has been passed down through generations.
The Cherokee Native American tribe is one of the oldest indigenous groups in the United States. They have a rich culture and traditions that have been preserved over centuries. The Cherokee prayer blessing for a wedding has become a popular reading at weddings around the world. Let’s explore this unique and beautiful wedding blessing.
History of the Cherokee Prayer Blessing for Wedding
The Cherokee prayer blessing for a wedding is rooted in the culture and traditions of the Cherokee tribe. The Cherokee people believe in the importance of honoring the Creator and Mother Earth. The Cherokee prayer blessing is a representation of this belief. It is a way to ask the Creator to bless the couple and their union.
The Cherokee prayer blessing has been passed down through generations. It has been adapted to suit modern weddings and to be more inclusive. The original prayer was in the Cherokee language, but now it has been translated into English so that more people can understand and appreciate the beauty of the prayer.
The Cherokee Prayer Blessing for Wedding
The Cherokee prayer blessing for a wedding is a beautiful reading that can be included in a wedding ceremony. It is a heartfelt prayer that asks for blessings upon the couple and their union. Here is the Cherokee prayer blessing:
“God in heaven above please protect the ones we love. We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together. We honor Mother Earth and ask for our marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons. We honor fire and ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts. We honor wind and ask that we sail through life safely and peacefully. We honor water to clean and soothe our relationship — that it may never thirst for love. With all the forces of the universe, we pray for harmony and true happiness as we forever grow young together. Amen.”
The prayer recognizes the importance of nature in our lives. It honors Mother Earth, fire, wind, and water, which are all essential elements of life. The prayer also acknowledges the importance of harmony and happiness in a marriage.
How to Include the Cherokee Prayer Blessing in a Wedding
The Cherokee prayer blessing for a wedding can be included in different ways in a wedding ceremony. The prayer can be read by the officiant, a family member, or a close friend. The couple can also choose to read the prayer together as they exchange their vows.
Incorporating the prayer into the ceremony can bring a sense of spiritual connection and depth to the event. It can also be a way to honor and respect the Cherokee culture and traditions.
Conclusion
The Cherokee prayer blessing for a wedding is a beautiful and timeless reading that can add depth and meaning to a wedding ceremony. It is a prayer that speaks to the importance of love, harmony, and the natural world. By including this prayer in a wedding ceremony, we honor the Cherokee culture and traditions and the importance of spirituality in our lives.
FAQ
What are Cherokee traditions for marriage?
The Cherokee people have a rich cultural heritage that dates back centuries, and this includes their traditions surrounding marriage. One of the most important aspects of traditional Cherokee marriage is the idea of balance and harmony. It is believed that marriage is not just a union between two individuals, but a connection between two families and two clans that must be maintained and respected.
Cherokee weddings typically begin with a purification ceremony, during which the bride and groom separate from their families to fast and pray for four days. This time of reflection and spiritual preparation is intended to help them enter their marriage with a clear mind and a pure heart. After this period of purification, the couple returns to their families for a feast and celebration.
During the wedding ceremony itself, Cherokee couples often exchange gifts such as animal hides, baskets, or other handmade objects, as a symbol of their love and commitment to one another. The couple also participates in a foot-washing ceremony, in which they symbolically cleanse one another’s feet with water and herbs, representing their willingness to serve and care for each other.
Most Cherokee couples enjoy a recitation of the Cherokee Wedding Prayer, which honors the three forces of nature – fire, wind, and water – as well as the blessings each brings to the marriage. This prayer is meant to be a reminder that the earth and its elements are sacred gifts, and that the couple’s union must be grounded in respect for nature and the world around them.
Finally, members of the tribe perform a Stomp Dance to celebrate the union. This dance is performed by everyone in attendance, and it is meant to represent the connection between humans and the natural world, as well as the connection between the bride and groom and their families. The dance is accompanied by drums and singing, and it continues for as long as the celebration lasts.
Cherokee marriage traditions are rooted in the idea of balance, respect, and harmony. The process of purification before the wedding, the exchange of gifts, the foot-washing ceremony, the recitation of the Wedding Prayer, and the Stomp Dance, all reflect these values and emphasize the importance of living in harmony with one’s surroundings and with those who matter most in one’s life.
How do you start a wedding blessing?
Starting a wedding blessing is an important part of any wedding ceremony. A wedding blessing is not only a prayer for a couple’s future together, but it’s also a way to invite a higher power or divine presence into the marriage. If you’ve been asked to give a wedding blessing, it’s normal to feel a little nervous or unsure of how to begin. However, with a little guidance and inspiration, you can create a beautiful and meaningful blessing that will be remembered for years to come.
To start a wedding blessing, it’s important to acknowledge the presence of a higher power or divine being. You can begin with a simple phrase such as “Heavenly Father,” “God Almighty,” or “Creator of all things.” This creates an atmosphere of reverence and invites the divine into the ceremony.
Next, it’s important to acknowledge the couple and their commitment to each other. You can begin by saying something like “We gather here today to celebrate the union of ___ and ___ in holy matrimony.” This sets the tone for the blessing and reminds everyone of the purpose of the ceremony.
From here, you can move into the actual blessing. It’s important to keep the couple’s wishes and beliefs in mind when crafting your blessing. Some couples may prefer a religious blessing that references scripture, while others may prefer a more secular blessing that focuses on love, commitment, and the journey ahead.
You can include specific blessings, such as “May your love grow stronger with each passing year” or “May your home be filled with happiness and laughter.” You can also include general blessings that encompass the couple’s future together, such as “May you face the trials and tribulations of life with grace and strength” or “May you always find comfort in each other’s embrace.”
The key to starting a wedding blessing is to speak from the heart. It’s important to remember that the blessing is a moment of connection and reflection, and your words can have a profound impact on the couple and everyone in attendance. With sincerity and love, you can create a blessing that will be remembered for a lifetime.
What is the traditional wedding ceremony script to obey?
The traditional wedding ceremony script that includes the phrase “to obey” typically involves the exchange of vows in which the bride agrees to obey her husband. The script typically goes as follows:
Officiant: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of ____ and ____ in holy matrimony. Marriage is a sacred union that should be entered into reverently, thoughtfully, and with full understanding. Who gives this bride to be married to this groom?
Bride’s Father or Guardian: I do.
Officiant: Thank you. And now, I ask the bride and groom to join hands.
Officiant: ____ and ____, have you come here today of your own free will and choice to enter into the bonds of holy matrimony?
Bride and Groom: We have.
Officiant: Will you honor and love each other, in sickness and in health, and keep yourselves solely unto each other for as long as you both shall live?
Bride and Groom: We will.
Officiant: And now, ____ I ask that you repeat after me. I, ____, take thee, ____, to be my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.
Bride: I, ____, take thee, ____, to be my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.
Officiant: And now, ____, I ask that you repeat after me. I, ____, take thee, ____, to be my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to honor, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.
Groom: I, ____, take thee, ____, to be my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to honor, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.
Officiant: And now that ____ and ____ have exchanged their vows and their rings, it gives me great pleasure to announce them as husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!
In modern times, many couples prefer to leave out the phrase “to obey” from their wedding ceremony script, as it is seen as outdated and misogynistic. However, some couples still choose to include it as a sign of their commitment to traditional gender roles in marriage.