Veil History and Meaning
The veil symbolizes the virginity, modesty and the innocence of the bride, hence its color, although in some places blue is used as the symbol of the Virgin Mary.
In some Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, the veil was used to completely hide the face of the bride from the groom who had never seen it. Only after the marriage ceremony was the groom allowed to raise the veil to see the face of his new wife for the first time. In Islamic religions the woman must cover her head with a black veil as a sign of respect to the prophet, Muhammad. According to other traditions, for example Roman customs, the veil protected the bride from evil spirits, to whom it was thought she was vulnerable.
The white bridal veil became popular in England in the 16th century just after the medieval period of history had ended. It was at this time, during the reign of that Elizabeth I that the veil became associated with modesty and chastity.
Today, many brides still wear a veil, and when the priest says the line about "you can kiss the bride", the groom lifts the bride’s veil and places it behind the bride's head. In the East today the veil is often still used to cover the face of the bride who the groom has never seen. The veil is usually removed once the marriage ceremony is complete.
