Quick Answer
What does "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" mean?
It is a Victorian-era English rhyme, widely adopted into American wedding culture, describing four items a bride should wear or carry for good luck: something old (continuity with the past), something new (optimism for the future), something borrowed (usually from a happily married woman, for luck), and something blue (symbolizing fidelity). A fifth line, "a silver sixpence in her shoe," is often dropped.
Last updated:
Last updated:
What does "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" mean?
Also called: the bridal rhyme, something old something new.
The rhyme originated in Victorian-era England, not America, but it has become one of the most widely followed bridal customs in the US — most brides can recite it even if they know nothing else about wedding folklore. Each line assigns a different kind of luck to a specific object, and brides often turn fulfilling all four into a small ritual of its own: a grandmother's handkerchief for "old," a new pair of earrings for "new," a friend's jewelry for "borrowed," and blue ribbon stitched into the dress hem for "blue."
What each line means
- •Something old — represents continuity with the bride's family and past; commonly an heirloom piece of jewelry or a grandmother's veil.
- •Something new — symbolizes optimism and good fortune for the couple's future; usually the wedding dress itself or new jewelry.
- •Something borrowed — traditionally borrowed from a happily married woman, meant to transfer some of her marital luck to the bride.
- •Something blue — represents fidelity and love; often a blue garter, a ribbon sewn into the dress, or blue-tinted jewelry.
- •A silver sixpence in her shoe — the original fifth line, symbolizing financial prosperity; rarely followed today since sixpences aren't common currency in the US.
Planning notes
- •Plan for this early — "borrowed" items in particular need to be arranged with a friend or family member well before the wedding morning.
- •Many brides fold this into getting-ready photos, so flag it to the photographer if you want it documented.
- •It is entirely optional and purely for tradition/photos — no ceremony or reception moment is built around it.
Keep every small wedding-day tradition on one checklist
Weddingkart's wedding checklist tool helps you track the small details — like sorting out a "borrowed" item in time — alongside the bigger planning tasks.
Try the wedding checklist →Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the "something old, something new" rhyme come from?
It originated in Victorian-era England as a folk rhyme about bridal luck, and was adopted widely into American wedding custom over the 20th century.
Is the rhyme religious or superstition-based?
It's folk superstition, not tied to any specific religion — it predates most modern wedding traditions and is followed purely as a good-luck custom.
Do all four items need to be visible in the outfit?
No — they can be worn subtly (a blue ribbon sewn inside a hem, a borrowed hairpin) or displayed openly. There's no rule requiring visibility.
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By Mayank JaiswalLast updated