Bridal Cup
Once upon a time, long ago, in Old Nuernberg, Germany, a young and beautiful maiden fell in love with a handsome and aspiring goldsmith. The maidens name was Kunigunde. Her father was a rich and powerful nobleman. He loved his daughter very much and wanted great things for her. He absolutely did not approve of her love for the goldsmith.
Kunigunde, against her fathers wishes, loved only the goldsmith and turned down many proposals from rich, young suitors. Her father became so enraged by this that he had the goldsmith thrown into a dungeon. The father had hoped that by hiding him away, Kunigunde would find someone else to love.
The heartbroken Kunigunde cried daily to her father. The longer her goldsmith was gone the sadder she became. Her father watched as Kunigunde became weaker, paler, and more withdrawn until she was nothing but a beautiful girl shrouded in darkness and gloom.
Finally, the bewildered nobleman told his daughter that if her goldsmith could create a chalice that two could drink from at the same time, without one drop spilling, he would free the goldsmith and allow them to wed. Of course, when the nobleman made this promise he was certain that it could not be done.
The love stricken goldsmith immediately went to work. With time, precision and skill, he soon created a piece of art from which to drink. Using the beautiful Kunigunde as his inspiration, the goldsmith sculpted a beautiful girl. Her skirt was hallowed and when flipped serves as a cup. Her raised arms hold a bucket that swivels, so that it can be filled and tilted towards a second drinker. The impressed nobleman released the talented goldsmith. Kunigunde and the goldsmith were soon married.
It is from this story that the bridal cup was established as a memorable tradition, as delightful today as a hundred years ago. Today the chalice remains a symbol of love, faithfulness and good luck for those who drink from the cup.
I love this little story and all of its fairytale style. How charming it would be for a couple to include this story, this cup and it's symbolism as part of their ceremony.
The German Bridal cup can be bought online.
Kunigunde, against her fathers wishes, loved only the goldsmith and turned down many proposals from rich, young suitors. Her father became so enraged by this that he had the goldsmith thrown into a dungeon. The father had hoped that by hiding him away, Kunigunde would find someone else to love.
The heartbroken Kunigunde cried daily to her father. The longer her goldsmith was gone the sadder she became. Her father watched as Kunigunde became weaker, paler, and more withdrawn until she was nothing but a beautiful girl shrouded in darkness and gloom.
Finally, the bewildered nobleman told his daughter that if her goldsmith could create a chalice that two could drink from at the same time, without one drop spilling, he would free the goldsmith and allow them to wed. Of course, when the nobleman made this promise he was certain that it could not be done.
The love stricken goldsmith immediately went to work. With time, precision and skill, he soon created a piece of art from which to drink. Using the beautiful Kunigunde as his inspiration, the goldsmith sculpted a beautiful girl. Her skirt was hallowed and when flipped serves as a cup. Her raised arms hold a bucket that swivels, so that it can be filled and tilted towards a second drinker. The impressed nobleman released the talented goldsmith. Kunigunde and the goldsmith were soon married.
It is from this story that the bridal cup was established as a memorable tradition, as delightful today as a hundred years ago. Today the chalice remains a symbol of love, faithfulness and good luck for those who drink from the cup.
I love this little story and all of its fairytale style. How charming it would be for a couple to include this story, this cup and it's symbolism as part of their ceremony.
The German Bridal cup can be bought online.
RSS Feed
