Box wreath

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The so-called box wreath is a custom practiced in northern Germany, especially in Westphalia and Lower Saxony . The name is derived from a wreath made of boxes that is traditionally given to a woman on her 25th birthday if she is not married by then.

Texture of the box wreath

A box wreath is made up of a number of individual boxes, often empty cigarette, medicine or perfume boxes are used. The boxes are pierced with a string or a rope and so lined up. As a rule, the box wreaths are made by good friends and / or relatives. Either the wreath recipient is not present, or she entertains the wreath makers, e.g. B. with drinks.

Background of custom

The box wreath is the replacement for the green wreath ("maiden wreath") used as bridal jewelry at the wedding , which the woman gets for the wedding if she gets married before her 25th birthday. Instead of the evergreen myrtle , it consists of boxes. These boxes are symbolic of the recipient, who becomes the “old box”.

The box wreath is the analogue of the sock wreath or bottle wreath (" Kuemmerlingkranz ") in unmarried 25-year-old men.

But if she turns 25 in a leap year, she will be brought a wreath / bottle wreath instead, since in a leap year the wreaths are exchanged and the men get a box wreath.

A related custom is sweeping the stairs of single men on their 30th birthday.

execution

The wreath is regularly attached to the door of the house or apartment on the 25th birthday of the recipient and remains there for about three to four weeks. After hanging the wreath, the recipient has to estimate the length of the wreath; the "beer bottle" is the unit of measurement. The difference between the actual length of the box top and the estimate, which is also given in "beer bottles", is then determined. The recipient of the wreath should then drink the same amount of beer.

A party is usually held between the hanging and hanging of the box wreath, the so-called wreath casting. This actually refers to the green wreath that is poured so that it does not dry out. The associated ritual was adopted in the box wreath custom.

The box wreath is then celebrated again.

Traditional process

  • Measure: The length of the wreath is measured . Usually the length is determined in the unit of measurement ( beer ) bottles . In addition to the measurement, as with all other appointments, the social get-together is of course top priority. It is therefore advisable to keep all appointments separately.
  • Tying: The wreath is tied with good friends / relatives nearby. The future wreath owner is not present, but can be responsible for the physical well-being (drinks), usually the lady does not know about it either. The boxes collected in advance are attached to a rope, rope or a corresponding cord as decoratively as possible .
  • Hang up: On the birthday, the box wreath is hung on and around the front door. Here, a beer bottle (or several) is usually converted into a spirit level to hang the wreath straight.
  • Gießen: Actually, this is a custom for a green wreath that would otherwise dry up. Mostly, however, the box wreath is also poured, since it is not about the process, but about the celebration. Usually pouring is scheduled roughly midway between picking up and picking up.
  • Losing weight: After 3 to 4 weeks, the wreath is generally removed again. This is traditionally celebrated again accordingly.

criticism

The box wreath is sometimes seen as discriminatory by those affected, as it exerts a certain social pressure and emphasizes an alleged lack of life.

literature

  • Martin Doehlemann: The thirty-year- olds: lust for life and questions about life. Waxmann Verlag, Münster 2006, ISBN 978-3830916536 , p. 163.
  • Kerstin Ehlert: Thirty - single - funny? Modern customs on 30th birthday. Schmerse, Göttingen 2005, ISBN 3-926920-37-8 , p. 39 f.
  • Ilona Nagy, Kincső Verebélyi: Folklore in 2000: Voces amicorum Guilhelmo Voigt sexagenario. Universitas Scientiarum de Rolando Eötvös nominata, Budapest 2000, ISBN 978-9634633624 , p. 412.
  • Hans Weiss: The birthday cult: Interesting - curious - amusing. Books on Demand, Norderstedt 2010, ISBN 978-3839157336 , p. 119 f.

Web links