This is a wonderful way to incorporate the two in a seamless and timeless ceremony. Bride and Groom circle the alter or table in
seven steps or seven circles. The number seven is generally considered a number of good fortunes in many faiths. One explanation for
the number seven is that it symbolizes the removal of seven shells of solitude encrusting the groom's soul, so that it can be encompassed
by the luminescence of his bride.
Some sources indicate that circling is done to represent the seven revolutions that the earth made during the seven days of creation.
As the marriage represents the creation of a new world, the bride walks around the groom to indicate that these seven cycles are
now being repeated. Others say circling is intended to create a magical wall of protection from evil symbolically creating a new
family circle. Today, the bride and the groom can circle together or around each other, demonstrating independent and complementary orbits.
Still others say it symbolizes the idea of the bride being a protective, surrounding light of the household that illuminates it with love from
within and protects it from harm from the outside. The circling symbolically creates a new family circle where our primary allegiance shifts
from our parents to each other.
In more contemporary weddings, the bride and groom may circle around each other rather than just the woman circling the man because
some people are not comfortable with the man being the center of the universe. So often a bride will walk around the groom three times, the
groom will walk around the bride three times, and then they will join hands and walk together in a circle one time to symbolize a sacred
circle and a mutual binding to each other.
While circling the groom 3 times has become an accepted tradition over the years, the symbolism is virtually the same, that the bride and
groom are about to create their own "new world" together. In some traditions, the mothers of the bride and groom circle him as well. In
another version, the bride is escorted on either side by a bridesmaid with a burning candle.
After the circling, the bride traditionally stands to the right of the groom although either side is a personal choice and is acceptable.
seven steps or seven circles. The number seven is generally considered a number of good fortunes in many faiths. One explanation for
the number seven is that it symbolizes the removal of seven shells of solitude encrusting the groom's soul, so that it can be encompassed
by the luminescence of his bride.
Some sources indicate that circling is done to represent the seven revolutions that the earth made during the seven days of creation.
As the marriage represents the creation of a new world, the bride walks around the groom to indicate that these seven cycles are
now being repeated. Others say circling is intended to create a magical wall of protection from evil symbolically creating a new
family circle. Today, the bride and the groom can circle together or around each other, demonstrating independent and complementary orbits.
Still others say it symbolizes the idea of the bride being a protective, surrounding light of the household that illuminates it with love from
within and protects it from harm from the outside. The circling symbolically creates a new family circle where our primary allegiance shifts
from our parents to each other.
In more contemporary weddings, the bride and groom may circle around each other rather than just the woman circling the man because
some people are not comfortable with the man being the center of the universe. So often a bride will walk around the groom three times, the
groom will walk around the bride three times, and then they will join hands and walk together in a circle one time to symbolize a sacred
circle and a mutual binding to each other.
While circling the groom 3 times has become an accepted tradition over the years, the symbolism is virtually the same, that the bride and
groom are about to create their own "new world" together. In some traditions, the mothers of the bride and groom circle him as well. In
another version, the bride is escorted on either side by a bridesmaid with a burning candle.
After the circling, the bride traditionally stands to the right of the groom although either side is a personal choice and is acceptable.
1-877-Lets I Do
Los Angeles Beach Weddings
(877-538-7436)
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| Hindu 7 Blessings |