There are many wedding traditions in the West. And most of
their (47) have their roots in ancient superstitious (迷信的)
beliefs. Placing a silver sixpence in the bride’s left shoe is
a (48) of wealth. This is not just to bring the bride
(49) wealth but also a wealth of happiness and joy throughout
her married life. The custom of the wedding (50)
is thought to be earlier than the wedding dress by centuries. One
explanation for it is that during the times of (51)
marriages, the bride’s face was covered until the groom was
(52) to her at the ceremony--so it would be too late for him to
run off if he didn’t like the look of her! And (53)
carrying the bride over the threshold is thought to be (54)
to Roman times, If the bride stumbled (绊倒) when entering the
newlywed’s home, it would bring bad luck to their mar- ridge. So carrying the
bride across the threshold would prevent this from happening.
The tradition of carrying flowers by the bride has its root in ancient
times when it was believed that strong smelling herbs would drive away evil
spirits, bad luck and ill health. During Victorian times, flowers took on an
(55) significance as lovers would send messages to each other
using different flowers, with each flower having its own meaning. For example,
daisy means "purity and (56) "; apple blossom means "better
thing to come". A) additional
F) veil
K) inspiration B) related
G) origins
L) integrated C ) traditionally
H) symbol
M) replaced D) committed
I) financial
N) innocence E) remote
J) repeatedly
O) arranged