Engagement facts for kids
An engagement is a special promise between two people who plan to get married. It's also the time period between when someone asks to marry another person (called a proposal) and the actual wedding day. When a couple is engaged, they are sometimes called affianced, which means they have promised to marry each other.
During this time, the man who is engaged is called a fiancé. The woman who is engaged is called a fiancée.
Contents
What is an Engagement?
An engagement is like a formal agreement that two people will get married. It's a way to show friends and family that they are serious about their future together. This promise is often celebrated with a special ring.
The Proposal
The engagement usually starts with a proposal. This is when one person asks the other to marry them. Often, the person proposing will offer an engagement ring. This ring is a symbol of their promise to marry.
Engagement Rings
Engagement rings are a very old tradition. They are usually worn on the fourth finger of the left hand in many Western countries. This finger was once believed to have a vein that led directly to the heart. The ring shows that the person is engaged and planning to get married soon.
Engagement Traditions Around the World
Different cultures have unique ways of celebrating engagements. Some traditions involve gifts, special ceremonies, or family gatherings.
Ghanaian Engagements
In Ghana, engagement ceremonies are often very colorful and involve both families. The groom's family visits the bride's family to formally ask for her hand in marriage. Gifts are exchanged, and blessings are given to the couple.
Historical Engagements
In the past, engagements were sometimes arranged by families. This meant that parents would decide who their children would marry. The engagement period allowed the families to get to know each other better before the wedding.
Images for kids
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William-Adolphe Bouguereau's The Proposal shows a man proposing to a woman.
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A modern engagement gifts basket from Bangladesh.
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An engagement photograph of Lionel Logue and Myrtle Gruenert from 1906.
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Christian art from 1360 showing the betrothal of Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary.
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A medieval painting from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry showing a betrothal ceremony.
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A white gold wedding ring and a single-diamond, gold-banded engagement ring. The engagement ring is usually worn on the outside.
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A Ghanaian Engagement Ceremony where the bride presents a gift to her father.
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See also
In Spanish: Esponsales para niños
