Arras Information from the Web

I have mainly found two kinds of information on the web: 1) The use of the Arras in the wedding ceremony, and 2) places selling Arras. I have found almost nothing about the use of tokens as Arras. Places selling Arras are listed on my page "Where to Get Arras," so this page is mostly about the use of the Arras in the wedding. Many of the web pages I found seem to just repeat the same snippets of information. The excerpts below were the more informative ones that I found.

Unlike today's Anglo-American customs, the padrino, not the father, escorted the bride and gave her away at the wedding ceremony. Also, the marriage vows, the placing of the ring, and the giving of the thirteen coins or arras, took place at the church door, and then they entered for the Mass. Since many families could not affort the arras, it was usually omitted from the prendorio and instead enacted in a highly ritualized form during the nuptial ceremony. The custom originated because dragging the wedding trunk down the aisle was impractical and inappropriate. The bride and groom offered las arras to the church to show their concern for the poor. Another version of its meaning mentions the groom offered gold or silver coins to the bride as a symbol that he would take care of her. Priests rented a small pouch containing thirteen gold or silver coins to symbolize the bride's endowment with arras. In an Indian ceremony, the groom let the money run through the bride's hands into a plate held by the priest's helper. The church kept the money. Then the priest put one ring on the groom's finger and gave him the other to put on the bride's finger. "These rings were kept until three days after the ceremony when they were returned to the embracer."
- http://www.muybueno.net/articles/mexicanwedding.htm

These traditions are usually associated with Hispanic and Filipino families.

The coins are carried by either an attendant or an especially-designated extra member of the wedding party. After the rings exchange, the Groom is given the coins, which he then gives to the Bride. The Bride gives them in turn to her Maid of Honor. The symbolism, which may be explained by the officiant, is that the Groom recognizes his responsibility as a provider.
- http://www.partydirectory.com/guide/sb19.htm

The Thirteen Gold Coins

The madrina de arras holds the 13 coins the bridegroom presents to the bride. The coins, or arrhea, was a Roman custom of breaking gold or silver, one half to be kept by the woman and the other half by the man, as a pledge of marriage.

The groom gives the bride thirteen gold coins as a symbol of his unquestionable trust and confidence. He pledges that he places all of his goods into her care and safekeeping. Acceptance by the bride means taking that trust and confidence unconditionally with total dedication and prudence.

The custom of the coins originated in Spain. Thirteen gold coins (arras) are given to the bride by the bridegroom, signifying he will support her. Often presented in ornate boxes or gift trays, this represents the brides dowry and holds good wishes for prosperity. These coins become a part of their family heirloom.

The number 12 represents Christ and his 12 apostles. The coins are presented to the priest by a friend or relative (usually the purchaser). The priest then blesses the coins and hands them to the bride who places them in the groom's cupped hands at the beginning of the ceremony. The coins are then placed on a tray and handed to an assistant to be held until later in the ceremony. Near the end of the ceremony the box and coins are given to the priest who places the coins in the box and hands them to the groom.

The groom will then pour the coins into the bride's cupped hands and places the box on top. This represent his giving her control as his mistress of all his worldly goods. (Sometimes their hands are tied with a ribbon for this portion of the ceremony.)
- http://www.weddingdetails.com/lore/mexican.cfm

[NB - The above information linking the Arras to Roman customs seems tenuous to me]

Arras: The "Arras" comes from the Middle Eastern influence when money was given to the father to cover the expense of raising his daughter. This tradition was introduced to the French by the Moores. The Arras is now symbolized by thirteen coins that may be in gold or they may be gold-dipped Mexican, Spanish or American coins. They are enclosed in a treasure box and are placed, one by one, by the groom in the hands of the bride. The action symbolizes his commitment to take care of her. His wealth becomes her wealth. After receiving all thirteen coins the bride passes them to her maid of honor.
- http://www.caribbeanbridalclub.com/hispanicweddings.htm

[NB - The like to the Middle East claimed above is very interesting, considering the similar Arabic tokens I have encountered]


Attention to future fortune and wealth plays a role in Filipino weddings. During the ceremony, coins are passed from one partner to the other. According to custom, the groom or bride gets the coins from a family member or someone in the wedding procession and then carefully hands the coins to his or her partner. The couple must be extra cautious not to drop anything because the dropping of a coin symbolizes misfortune in their new life together. The coins need not be real, and may instead be gold tokens or round, flat metal pieces that resemble coins. It is not the monetary value which is important, but the representation of wealth, prosperity, and security. Filipinos have a high regard for security, and through marriage, the bride and groom take on the added responsibility of supporting one another and their future family. In the Philippines, the family, both immediate and extended, remains a central concern throughout one's life. The Catholic Church and the collective organization of the indigenous tribes have shaped Filipino culture so that it continues to emphasize the importance of family to this day.
- http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/humnet/folklore/peter/Folk15Web/DanLinJasonLisingVivianLum/coins.htm

After the engagement (which may be a private affair or a family party) the couple have to find sponsors--padrinos and madrinas. Sometimes there are as many as fifteen couples used as sponsors. First of all, there are the two witnesses required by church law. Then come the "padrinos de arras"--of the coins; next the "padrinos de lazo"--of the cincture; "padrinos de los cojines"--of the cushions; maids of honor, flower girls, and so forth.

Thirteen coins are used in the ceremony. The coins are presented by the groom to the bride as a sign that the man is giving to his bride all that he possesses and with the promise that he will use it for her support. These coins (las arras) are kept by the couple for life.

The cincture (el lazo) is similar to that which the priest wears at Mass. It is placed by the padrinos de lazo over the bridal couple after the Gospel of the Mass and is removed by them after the Communion of the Mass. Of course, it represents the binding tie of marriage.
- http://www.ewtn.com/library/FAMILY/HOUSE.TXT

[NB - Several of the Arras token show a rope or cord with probably represents the lazo.]

 

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