"Spitting On The Bride" and 9 other bizarre wedding rituals

Love may be universal, but the ways people celebrate it couldn’t be more different. Some couples toast with champagne and dance under candlelight, while others begin their journey with leftovers, arrows, or even a month's worth of tears. Across the globe—from Chinese villages to remote Pacific islands—wedding rituals range from deeply symbolic to downright strange. Here are some of the wildest wedding traditions from around the world.

Imagine a wedding tradition where joy is measured not by laughter but by tears. In certain regions of China, brides from the Tujia ethnic group begin crying a full month before their big day. For one hour each evening, the bride weeps to express happiness and gratitude. Ten days in, her mother joins her, and by the final week, her grandmother, sisters, aunts, and cousins take part as well. The sound is said to resemble a "symphony of tears," as locals call it. It may seem dramatic to outsiders, but for the Tujia, this ritual is believed to wash away misfortune and welcome joy into the marriage, turning tears into a celebration of family and future.

In some parts of Africa, weddings are not always centered on laughter and dancing. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, certain traditional ceremonies are described as austere and solemn. The bride and groom are expected to remain serious from start to finish, not even a hint of a smile allowed. The reasoning is that marriage is a sacred commitment, too important for outward giggles or casual grins. To an outsider, the sight might look less like a celebration of love and more like the world’s most intense staring contest; for locals, it’s a symbol of respect, devotion, and gravity.

Scotland’s version of pre-wedding "fun" isn’t for the faint of heart. Here, the couple’s closest friends gather before the ceremony to stage the blackening, a messy and mischievous ritual meant to test the pair’s endurance. The bride and groom are chased, caught, and covered in a vile mix of sticky leftovers, spoiled milk, fish guts, flour, and rotten eggs. Once properly coated, they’re paraded through town for everyone to admire. It’s smelly, chaotic, and a little cruel, but there’s meaning behind the madness: if two people can handle such public embarrassment together, they can probably handle anything marriage throws their way.

Would you let your new spouse kiss every guest on your wedding day? No, it’s not the plot of some surreal romantic comedy. As it happens, in Sweden it’s a lighthearted wedding tradition! Whenever the bride or groom leaves the room, the guests line up to give a kiss to the one who stays behind. It may sound a little too wild to some, but in Sweden it’s generally seen as a playful and harmless way to celebrate the newlyweds.

In the remote Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia, love takes a surprisingly literal form. At the end of the ceremony, family members may lie down on the ground to form what is sometimes described as a "human carpet." The newlyweds then walk across their relatives’ backs on their way out, a gesture meant to honor the family’s blessing and symbolize unity between both sides. It works as a reminder that marriage rests, quite literally, on the support of loved ones. The only caution? It’s best if the bride leaves the high heels aside for this one.

France, known for elegant cuisine and candlelit dinners, once had a wedding custom that was far less glamorous. After the celebration ended, family and friends would gather the leftovers and serve them to the newlyweds in a toilet bowl or chamber pot. The concoction, commonly referred to as la soupe, was meant to "restore the couple’s strength" after their long day. In later versions of the tradition, guests substituted the original mixture with chocolate or champagne to make it more "festive." While it sounds more like a prank than a tradition, it symbolized good fortune and fertility. Thankfully, modern French couples now prefer to recover their energy with a croissant and café au lait instead of… whatever that was.

In Maasai culture in Kenya and northern Tanzania, blessings sometimes take an unexpected yet heartfelt form. Instead of a long speech or formal ceremony, a father offers his daughter good fortune with a simple gesture: he spits lightly on her head and chest before she leaves to begin her married life. It may sound disgusting, but among the Maasai, it’s a deeply respectful gesture. In a region where water is scarce and every drop is precious, even a small amount of saliva carries powerful symbolism. It represents life, protection, and the hope that the union will be strong and prosperous.

In South Korea, a groom’s path to the altar sometimes comes with one final challenge. Before the ceremony, his friends tie his ankles together, lift his feet, and playfully strike the soles with sticks or dried fish while firing off trivia questions. The custom, commonly known as bal dalli gi (literally "beating the feet"), is less about pain and more about proving the groom’s resilience and quick wit under pressure. The blows are meant to sting just enough to keep him alert, while the laughter from the crowd keeps the mood light. It’s a comical mix of endurance test and friendship ritual.

Among the Yugur (also known as the Yughur) people of northwestern China, love traditionally begins with a symbolic act of archery. In this centuries-old ritual, the groom takes a bow and fires three arrows directly at his bride. Don’t worry, the arrows are deliberately blunted or have their tips removed to ensure safety. Once the arrows have struck her dress, he retrieves them and breaks them in half, symbolizing that their bond can never be broken. All in all, the gesture represents both trust and eternal devotion, showing that true love doesn’t always come in diamond form.

On the misty island of Borneo, love begins with an endurance test worthy of a reality show. According to widely circulated accounts, among the Tidong people, newlyweds spend their honeymoon locked in a small room for three full days and nights—not even bathroom breaks allowed! Family members monitor the couple to ensure the rules are observed. The couple is given just enough food and water to get by, but the challenge is mostly symbolic: a test of patience, trust, and teamwork. If they can face three days in close quarters without escaping (or arguing), legend says their marriage will be long and unbreakable. It’s not exactly a tropical getaway, but it might just be the ultimate test of compatibility!

FROM FACT TO FICTION

10 Real People Who Inspired Famous Fictional Characters

Image: Sergey Semin

Does life imitate art more than art imitates life? We don’t know. But regardless of where you stand on Oscar Wilde’s famous conundrum, one thing is certain: many of the most beloved fictional characters in film and literature have been inspired by real people. From Sherlock Holmes to Miss Piggy, the influence of real-life personalities on fictional creations knows no bounds. Here, we explore 10 intriguing examples of characters who were molded after actual individuals!

Image: Clément Falize

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary detective, Sherlock Holmes was heavily inspired by Dr. Joseph Bell, a Scottish surgeon renowned for his sharp observational skills and deductive reasoning. Bell's knack for diagnosing patients based solely on observation laid the foundation for Holmes' exceptional investigative abilities.

Doyle, who had studied under Bell at the University of Edinburgh, was profoundly impacted by Bell's methods. In his autobiography, Doyle reminisced about his former teacher and speculated that "if he were a detective, he would surely reduce this fascinating but unorganized business to something nearer to an exact science."

Image: Boston Public Library

Margaret Mitchell's Southern Belle protagonist from Gone with the Wind was inspired by Mitchell's own ancestors, particularly her feisty great-grandmother.

Mitchell's family stories and the oral histories she grew up with shaped Scarlett's resilient and ambitious character, capturing the spirit of the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction. She blended these anecdotes with her own observations of Southern society, crafting a unique but believable character loved for both her complexity and tenacity.

Image: Tingey Injury Law Firm

The noble and principled lawyer Atticus Finch from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird was modeled after her own father, Amasa Coleman Lee. Like Atticus, A.C. Lee was a lawyer who defended African American clients in racially charged cases in Alabama during the 1930s.

Harper Lee admired her father's sense of justice and moral integrity, qualities she infused into the character of Atticus Finch. Through Finch, Lee tackled themes of racial injustice and moral courage during a period when few dared to do so, making him a timeless literary hero in the process.

Image: Milad Fakurian

The sophisticated and cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter, created by Thomas Harris in The Silence of the Lambs, was inspired by Mexican physician and convicted murderer Alfredo Ballí Treviño.

Ballí Treviño was known for his charm and intelligence, traits that Harris integrated into Lecter's chilling persona. Harris, a journalist at the time, covered Ballí Treviño's trial and drew upon his demeanor and intellect to shape Lecter, creating one of fiction's most captivating and terrifying villains.

Image: Joey Nicotra

Johnny Depp's portrayal of the eccentric pirate Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean series was famously inspired by Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.

Depp modeled Sparrow's mannerisms, speech patterns, and rock 'n' roll attitude after Richards, whom he admired for his rebellious spirit and iconic style. The character's swagger and unpredictable nature have made Sparrow a beloved figure in popular culture and an affectionate homage to the rock star.

Image: Kier in Sight Archives

F. Scott Fitzgerald's mysterious and enigmatic millionaire Jay Gatsby was partially inspired by Max Gerlach, a notorious bootlegger during the Prohibition era. Gerlach's lavish parties and extravagant lifestyle in Long Island served as the backdrop for Gatsby's opulent world in The Great Gatsby.

Interestingly, Fitzgerald claimed that Gerlach was his neighbor at some point in time, and it would make sense for him to draw inspiration from his immediate surroundings to tackle the essence and moral complexities of the Roaring Twenties.

Image: Attentie Attentie

Sylvester Stallone's iconic underdog boxer Rocky Balboa was inspired by Chuck Wepner, a journeyman boxer who famously went the distance with Muhammad Ali in 1975. Stallone claims that he was inspired by Wepner's determination, as well as his own struggles as an actor trying to break into Hollywood.

In any case, both the character and the film resonated deeply with audiences worldwide for their heartfelt portrayal of perseverance and the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Image: NEOM

Although George Lucas never fully explained where he drew his inspiration from—and there may have been multiple individuals with similar characteristics—it is speculated that his iconic character, Indiana Jones, an adventurous archaeologist and professor, was significantly inspired by Roy Chapman Andrews.

Andrews was an American explorer, adventurer, and naturalist known for his daring expeditions across Asia, especially Mongolia, during the 1920s.

Image: thomas RICHARD

Thought Popeye was just a stereotype of a sailor? Well, it turns out he was based on a real person. The spinach-loving, pipe-smoking comic strip and cartoon character created by Elzie Crisler Segar was inspired by Frank "Rocky" Fiegel.

Fiegel was a tough, strong-willed man from Segar's hometown of Chester, Illinois, known for his physical strength and willingness to fight to protect his friends. In homage to his friend, Segar based Popeye's demeanor, accent, and strong moral compass on Fiegel's persona.

Image: Matt Botsford

Miss Piggy, the glamorous and assertive Muppet diva from The Muppet Show, drew inspiration from singer and actress Peggy Lee. In fact, the iconic Muppet's full name was initially Miss Piggy Lee. Known for her sultry voice and charismatic stage presence, Lee influenced more than just Miss Piggy's name; her character pays homage to Lee's theatrical persona and romantic aspirations.

It should be noted that there was no disrespect intended; quite the contrary, and as Piggy's fame grew, the show’s creators decided they did not want to risk upsetting Peggy Lee, whom they greatly admired, and decided to shorten the name to Miss Piggy.