In the Zoroastrian faith marriage is encouraged, an institution greatly favoured by the religious texts^[1]. As of such, a Zoroastrian Wedding is a cause for celebration. Zoroastrianism was adapted from an earlier, polytheistic faith by Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) in Persia very roughly around 1000 BC (although, in the absence of written records, some scholars estimates are as late as 600 BC). ... Zoroastrianism (Avestan Daênâ Vañuhi the good religion)[1][2] is the religion and philosophy based on the teachings ascribed to the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra, Zartosht). ...

Age of Eligiblity

According to Zoroastrian texts texts both males^[2] and females^[3] are considered to be ready for marriage at the age of 15. In contemporary times these thresholds are, in practice, more like 21 and 16 respectively. In India, where most Zoroastrians reside, the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936 sets thresholds of 21 and 18, with marriages between younger Parsis requiring a parental signature on the marriage certificate. A Parsi (Gujarati: Pārsī, IPA: ), sometimes spelled Parsee, is a member of the close-knit Zoroastrian community based in the Indian subcontinent. ...

Arranged Marriage

Traditionally marriages are arranged by the parents with the consent of the children. In recent times however, it is not uncommon for this system to be reversed, with the parents consulted about a decision made by the marrying parties. An arranged marriage is a marriage that is established before involving oneself in a lengthy relationship, and often involves the arrangement of someone else other than the person getting married. ...

Ceremony

There exist ceremonies which are observed prior to the marriage. They will be most likely spread over several days. Ceremonies vary, and not all the rites described below may be observed in one wedding. Other customs may be included also.

Prior to the Marriage

Adrâvvûn

also known by the older name of Nâm pâdvûn

Presents of silver coins are prepared by the ladies of both the bride and bridegroom's families in the homes of the marrying parties, each group going to the other's home. It is upon this betrothal that the bride takes the name of her husband, even if the marriage does not later occur. This betrothal is often performed quickly after a marriage is arranged. Betrothal is a formal state of engagement to be married. ...

Divô

Two lamps are lit, one in each of the homes of the marrying parties. Once again the ladies travel to the home of the other party and place a silver coin upon the lamp. It is at this occasion that formal gifts are exchanged. This includes the exchange of wedding rings.

Âdarni

This is the payment of the dowry by the bride's father to the bride-groom's family. A dowry (also known as trousseau) is a gift of money or valuables given by the brides family to the grooms at the time of their marriage. ...

The Marriage

A Parsee Wedding

Auspicious days, such as new moon day or Hormazd, the first day of the Parsee month, are generally favoured for the wedding ceremony, coming on the forth day of festivities. The first day of these is known as mândav-saro, when a twig of a tree, generally a mango-tree, is planted near the door, symbolic of a wish for fertility. This is followed by two Varadh-patra days when religious ceremonies in honour of the dead are performed. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

With the marriage ceremony occurring in the evening of the fourth day the bride and bridegroom will have prior taken baths, known as nân. The marriage must be performed in front of an assembly of witnesses, the Parsi Marriage and divorce Act requires at least two witnesses as well as the priest.^[4]

The ceremonial dress of the Parsees is the Jâmâ-pichhoir of which the bride wears a white variety, with the bridegroom sporting the mark of a Kunkun on his forehead.

A few hours before the ceremony a procession forms carrying gifts to the bridegroom's house, usually accompanied by music. It then turns to the house of the bride where, typically, the marriage occurs. The assembly, once seated, awaits the arrival of the groom who is greeted at the door by the mother of the bride. Here a fresh Kunkun mark is placed upon his head.

During the ceremony rice is often used as good luck symbol, with the bride and groom sprinkling each other with cupfuls of rice. So as to remove any evil destined for the groom an egg is passed round his head three times then thrown to the ground and broken, destroying the evil with it. A similar ritual is then performed with a cocoanut, and then with a small tray of water which is thrown to the ground. Good Luck!! is a 2003 Japanese television drama produced by TBS. Starring Takuya Kimura and Kō Shibasaki, Good Luck!! topped the Japanese drama ratings with a whopping 35% viewership in 2003. ... Binomial name Cocos nucifera L. For other uses, see Coconut (disambiguation). ...

At a point during the evening the groom will dip his hand into a water-pot (var-behendoo) which was part of the dowry. Into this pot he drops a silver coin, as a mark of appreciation for the gift.

When the bride and groom take their seats the groom sits to the right of the bride and they both face east. Rice is placed on trays either side of the couple to be thrown while they recite their benedictions. Candles, fire being an important symbol in the Zoroastrian faith, are placed either side also. The couple are flanked by a pair of witnesses, usually married relations. A curtain of cloth separates the couple.

Two priests officiate. The couple are asked by the priests whether they consent to the marriage. He then joins their hands, a custom known as Hâthevârô, "hand-fastening". The senior priest places the rights hands of the couple into each other. Then a piece of cloth is passed round the chairs of both and tied together enclosing them in a circle. The priest then fastens, seven times, with raw twist their right hands which are grasped by each other. The prayer of Yatha Ahu Vairyo is recited throughout.

The curtain is then dropped and the couple throw rice over each other, the first to do so is said to "win".

The senior preist then blesses the couple with

May the Creator, the omniscient Lord, grant you a progeny of sons and grandsons, plenty of means to provide yourselves, heart-ravishing friendship, bodily strength, long life and an existence of 150 years!

Various questions are then asked of the bride, groom and witnesses. Once they have replied, affirming that they have entered into this with righteous mind the preist will recite admonitions and benedictions. Then the couple symbolically eat from the same dish, a rite known as Dahi-Koomro. At the close of the ceremony, as well as at several junctures prior, nuptial songs may be sung.

A wedding feast then occurs at which toasts are made to, God, the couple, the sacred fire temples, the guests and the host. Fish, a symbol of good luck, is served.

References

J.J Modi, The Religious Ceremonies and Customs of the Parsees, Bombay, 1922

1. ^ Vendidad (IV. 47)
2. ^ Yt. VIII., Tir, 13-14; Yt.XIV, Warharan, 17; Yasna IX., 5
3. ^ Vendidad XIV, 15
4. ^ http://www.sudhirlaw.com/parsimarract.htm