Jordan Almonds at Italian Weddings
Sweet Symbolism and Superstitions, The Origin of Confetti
At nearly every traditional Italian wedding, guests leave with a bomboniere – a small favor wrapped in tulle. Inside rests a bundle of Jordan almonds, known in Italy as confetti.
These sugar-coated almonds date back to at least the 17th century, when they became part of wedding customs across the peninsula. Their inclusion is far from random; each element of this simple gift carries meaning rooted in both tradition and superstition.
The Number Five
The almonds are almost always given in sets of five. Each almond carries a wish for the couple’s future:
- Longevity – a long life together.
- Health – for a life of strength and well-being.
- Wealth – to provide stability and security.
- Fertility – the hope for many children.
- Happiness – joy throughout the marriage.
The odd number is deliberate. Odd numbers can’t be evenly divided, symbolizing the indivisible bond between husband and wife. Even numbers, by contrast, were once thought to carry associations with division or separation—something no newly married couple would want tied to their union.
Sweet and Bitter: The Marriage Metaphor
The almonds themselves are intentionally bittersweet. The nut has a sharp bite, but the sugar coating balances it with sweetness. Together, they reflect the reality of marriage: times of difficulty wrapped with joy and sweetness. This dual symbolism has made Jordan almonds an enduring part of Italian wedding lore.
Superstitions and Customs
Over centuries, these almonds picked up superstitious layers beyond symbolism:
- The Bride Eats First: Guests traditionally wait for the bride to taste one before they eat. Eating one too soon is thought to invite misfortune.
- Sharing the Confetti: Distributing almonds among guests isn’t just generosity – it ensures the couple’s happiness is multiplied and shared.
- Protective Qualities: Some families believed the sugar coating itself acted as a charm, protecting the marriage from bitterness, jealousy, or the “evil eye.”
Broader Meanings of Almonds
Almonds in Mediterranean history have long been linked to fertility and prosperity, which explains their natural fit into wedding traditions. Their tough shell was seen as a symbol of resilience, while the fruit inside represented hidden blessings. Carrying these qualities into a marriage was considered an act of foresight, a way to safeguard the couple’s journey.
A Favor That Lasts
What began as a 17th-century tradition endures because of its elegance and simplicity. Guests tuck away the almonds not only as a treat but also as tokens of good fortune. For couples, the giving of confetti is both a superstition and a promise: a recognition that marriage, like the almond itself, will hold both sweetness and challenge, but shared together it becomes something worth celebrating.
