"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!

What science says

It was false after all: 10 health myths that sound true—but aren't

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Health myths are everywhere! These ideas were simply passed down for so long that they became part of what we believed. But now science has stepped in to clear things up. Does cold weather make you sick? Can lemon detox your body? Is reading in low light really harmful? Let's uncover the truth behind 10 common health myths!

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Have you ever been told that cutting your hair will make it grow faster? We're sorry to say that's just a myth. Hair grows from the root, not the ends. So, trimming it won't boost growth, though it does help remove split ends that can make your hair look dry or unhealthy.

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This is one of the most common health myths. Cold weather often gets blamed, but it's not the temperature that makes you catch a cold. During winter, we tend to stay indoors with others and keep the windows closed, an environment that makes it easier for viruses to spread. That's why colds tend to be more common in winter!

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The idea that eating before bed automatically leads to weight gain is a myth. In reality, it has more to do with what you eat and how much, rather than the time of day. Often, when we eat very late at night, we're tired and more likely to reach for quick, high-calorie, heavy foods. This can disrupt sleep and lead to consuming more calories than we burn, both of which may affect weight. If it's close to bedtime, it's better to have something light and healthy in a moderate portion than to skip a meal altogether.

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Does wearing glasses weaken your vision? Myth! If an eye doctor prescribes glasses, wearing them as directed helps correct your vision; it won't make it worse. Additionally, the right glasses can help prevent or reduce headaches caused by reading or spending long hours in front of a screen.

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This myth is closely related to the previous one. If you love reading and sometimes have to do it in low light because of the situation, don't worry. According to experts, reading in low light doesn't cause permanent or irreversible eye damage. However, it's not recommended because it can make your eyes feel tired or strained, leading to discomfort or headaches.

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We're all different, and so are our bodies. The idea that everyone should drink exactly eight glasses of water a day is more of a general guideline than a rule. Staying well hydrated throughout the day is extremely important, but how much water you need depends on factors like your weight, age, climate, and overall health. We should prioritize staying consistently hydrated instead of obsessing over the number of glasses we drink.

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Some people say drinking lemon water helps eliminate toxins and cleanse the body. While adding a slice of lemon to your water is a refreshing way to stay hydrated, it doesn't have any special "detoxifying" powers. The vitamin C in citrus fruits is beneficial, but the body has its own natural detox system. The liver and kidneys are the main organs that filter waste and eliminate toxins.

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Not all fats are bad! Just like other food groups, your body needs fats to function properly. The important thing is knowing the difference between healthy fats and those that can be harmful. Foods like avocados, seeds, olive oil, fish, and nuts are rich in healthy fats. On the other hand, the fats found in processed or fried foods are the ones that can have a negative impact on your body.

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Liver diseases can be serious. While heavy and frequent consumption of alcohol and fats is a major contributor, it's not the only cause. Liver problems can also result from many other factors. These include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders, high blood pressure, and exposure to certain chemicals.

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There's some truth to it: breakfast is important because it replenishes our glucose and energy levels and supports proper metabolism. However, the idea that it's the most important meal of the day might be an exaggeration. Everyone's body has different needs, and all meals are important, so we shouldn't skip any of them!