He was the beginning and end of conflict for the Romans. His major temple in Rome was a key indicator if they were at war or peace. At war, the doors of the temple were open, while the doors would be closed when they were at peace. Let's just say that those doors didn't close very often.
His image came in different ways. Sometimes one face would have a beard while the other did not, or they could both be bearded. In some places he had four faces. Plus, his image is on coins because in some stories, he introduced money.
JUMPING THE BROOM -- This tradition has been carried out for many centuries. It may have been before even handfasting. The Welsh tradition of priodas coes ysgub (broomstick wedding) might have come from the Romany (gypies) of Wales before it spread to a country-wide tradition. The broomstick would be set in the doorway at an angle. The couple would jump over the broom together, but if the broomstick was touched the marriage was considered invalid.
The besom is used for the modern tradition. It's a way to star a marriage with a clean slate. In other words, to jump the broom is a meaningful way of starting life together with the past swept away. Usually it takes place after the wedding ceremony.
Historically, in Antebellum America, plantation slaves used this as a way to marry since they had no legal means of taking their vows. Whether it came from their white masters or from their own countries of origin is still debated.
The protecting guardian spirit of females was called a juno, which was a genius (aka family ancestor from the underworld originally). There were different ones for virgins, married women, marriage, and brides.
Disclaimer: None of these pictures belong to me. I found them on Google.
Very interesting. my children were born in january and june. origins are always fascinating.
ReplyDeleteMe too. So many things are lost because of time and people.
DeleteLots of interesting stuff. I guess jumping the broom must have been a lot of pressure in case they touched it. And hard to do in some of today's wedding dresses!
ReplyDeleteI think that the carrying the bride over the threshold tradition came from this. Yep. Lots of pressure.
DeleteI always thought jumping the broom was a lot more exciting than... walking down the aisle?... :D
ReplyDelete@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary - Epics from A to Z
MopDog - 26 Ways to Die in Medieval Hungary
Me too now. When I was researching, I found a story of a woman who did this. It was so beautiful because the couple decorated the broom together then hung it in their house.
DeleteI love learning about Rome, Roman culture, Roman history, and Roman culture. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletehttp://thecapillary.blogspot.co.uk/
Stopping by from the A to Z Challenge
you're welcome!
DeleteI always thought jumping the broom was a really interesting tradition!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the 2015 A to Z Challenge!
A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com
me too!
DeleteA lovely grab bag of "J" goodies. "Jumping the broom" is such a great expression, even if the tradition is bit odd--pity the poor couple who didn't make it over the broom! Love your Wiccan/pagan theme for the challenge--will be back for more.
ReplyDeletei know. i'm pretty sure the man took the higher bit.
DeleteI remember being small and seeing a picture of Janus on something and thinking 'how odd' :) Love the tradition of jumping the broom stick.
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
i think he's cool.
Deleteme too. it would be fun to do!
I hadn't heard of jumping the broom, sounds like fun! And Janus is one of my favorites. :)
ReplyDeleteyep. I knew about it, but not all the details.
Deletemine too!
It surprised me that "jumping the broom" went so far back in history!
ReplyDeleteOver from the A to Z.
i know. I didn't know either.
DeleteInteresting info. I saw a story the other day about a couple wedding and they were doing the jumping the broom tradition.
ReplyDeleteI liked the one i read. i could feel the emotions behind the words when i read it.
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