Polterabend

Under a wedding shower is meant to wish you a success of marriage in Germany, Silesia and Pomerania a wedding custom, a bride and groom before the marriage by the breaking of stoneware and porcelain. In Austria, Switzerland and Denmark, however, usually the term " shower" the boisterous farewell to the Single - being, which is the term bachelor party, and in England " Stag Party " or Hen Night, known in Germany.

Where historically the origin of the wedding shower is not clear.

Description of the custom

The wedding shower is usually held in front of the home of the bride or her parents. The bride and groom are merely notice of the deadline, but no one invites one in detail. Many a bride and groom sees the possibility of many people who can not be invited to the wedding itself, to share so. Therefore, it is also catered for a tasting, a traditional dish for the wedding shower is the chicken soup, because chickens are a symbol of fertility and were given in earlier times the bride and groom at the wedding shower chickens. It is suspected a connection with the designation chickens evening ( Hen Night ).

The real highlight of this custom is the fracturing by throwing down of porcelain brought along, but also pottery, flower pots or ceramic products, such as tiles, sinks and toilet bowls are throwing objects like used. Even metal objects such as tin cans, bottle caps and jar lids are disseminated to rumble. However, are prohibited glasses (glass stands for happiness, which is not to be destroyed) or even mirror ( a broken mirror is seven years bad luck ). The bride and groom must then jointly dispose of the mess.

The guests bring usually with no gifts, but can do so. Who wants to give the couple something, but do not go to the wedding itself, can give the gift at the wedding shower. The clothing is usually more casual. Especially the bride and groom usually does not wear the latest clothing, because in some places at midnight burned the pants of the groom and the bride's shoes nailed to a wooden board. In some regions of the bra the bride is burned together with the pants of the groom. The ashes will be buried along with a bottle of booze. After one year, the bottle is dug up and emptied.

The wedding shower is usually celebrated on the eve of the ecclesiastical or civil ceremony. Finding the right hen party the night before the wedding instead, it is the bride and groom certainly allowed prematurely (eg at midnight ) to move away from the celebration to the next day to be fresh and not hungover. Nowadays, it is common to organize the wedding shower weeks before the wedding day.

Background

The custom of Porzellanzerbrechens is the popular etymology interpreted saying: " Shards bring luck " basis. A native of the pottery term " shard " originally referred to all earthen vessels, not only shattered. " Shards bring luck " thus referring to the fact that many vessels within the meaning -filled reservoir represent a fortunate coincidence for the owner. In earlier times, the relatives, neighbors and friends passed through the village, mostly armed with sticks and whips to make noise. This noise should keep away spirits and demons from the bride and groom.

Customs

Red will be banned

In this southern German custom comes during the wedding shower a young woman, which the groom throws the replica of a winding child 's feet. If the future groom blush at the sight of the doll, this is a sign of a guilty conscience.

Bride or copy?

This coming from Bavaria custom a woman (or a man dressed as such ) ensnares the groom and claims to be the "right" bride. The task of the groom is to fend off the advances and to present counter-arguments.

Similar customs

• Hielich, a Heischebrauch in the Bergische Land and the Eifel, in the shot and drunk well before the wedding was like in today's hen party.