Marriage Practices of Major World Religions

 

Religion is a significant force that shapes the culture and traditions of societies around the world. Across cultures, marriage exists as a social institution through which families are formed, values are transmitted, and religious beliefs are expressed. While marriage is universal, its practices differ widely depending on religious teachings, cultural norms, and historical contexts. Below is an overview of marriage practices in several major world religions.

Christianity

Christianity, the largest religion in the world, is an offshoot of Judaism and centers on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In Christian belief, marriage is founded on love, commitment, and mutual consent. Because of this emphasis, the giving of dowry is not required and is generally unfamiliar to Christian couples. Marriage is entered into freely by both partners, and arranged marriages initiated by parents are uncommon.

The Bible does not explicitly prohibit cousin marriage, but such unions are traditionally frowned upon in many Christian communities. Eastern Orthodox Churches explicitly prohibit cousin marriage. Christianity upholds monogamy, drawing from New Testament teachings that a person should have only one spouse. Polygamy is considered a transgression and is illegal in most Christian-majority societies.

Christian marriages may be conducted as civil weddings, which are legally valid, but many couples prefer a church wedding officiated by a priest or pastor because of its spiritual solemnity. In some cultures, a proposal visit by the groom and his parents to the bride’s family is still practiced, especially among younger couples.

The wedding ceremony typically takes place in a church and may be integrated into a religious service or mass. During the ceremony, the bride and groom exchange vows, rings, and a kiss to seal their union. The bride wears an elegant wedding gown, while the groom usually wears a suit, coat and tie, or traditional attire such as the barong in the Philippines. A celebration follows, often including a banquet, gift-giving, and other festivities. These activities usually last about half a day. After the wedding, couples often go on a honeymoon lasting several weeks. The scale of the celebration depends on the couple’s preferences and financial capacity. Different Christian denominations may have specific rules governing marriage practices.

Islam

Islam is the youngest of the major world religions and the second largest after Christianity. Islamic teachings generally discourage interfaith marriage for Muslim women, although Muslim men are permitted to marry women from other Abrahamic religions. A non-Muslim man who wishes to marry a Muslim woman must first convert to Islam.

In Islamic marriage, the groom is required to give mahr (dowry) to the bride. The amount is agreed upon by the parties and often reflects social and economic considerations. Marriage between cousins, including first cousins, is permitted in Islam, though its prevalence varies by culture and country.

Islam allows a man to marry up to four wives, provided he can treat them equally in terms of financial support, emotional care, and time. In practice, most Muslim men have only one wife due to the responsibilities involved. While the consent of the first wife is not legally required for subsequent marriages, it is often socially important.

Muslim weddings may be simple or elaborate. Essential requirements include the nikah (marriage contract), the consent of both bride and groom, the mahr, and witnesses. Wedding celebrations may last from one to three days or longer, depending on cultural tradition.

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions, dating back over 3,000 years and originating in ancient Persia (modern-day Iran). Following the spread of Islam, the religion declined significantly, though communities still exist in Iran, India, and the global diaspora. Zoroastrians in India are commonly known as Parsis.

Traditionally, Zoroastrians practiced endogamy, allowing marriage only within the faith, including cousin marriages. In contemporary times, especially among Parsis and diaspora communities, interfaith marriage and marriage outside the clan are increasingly accepted. Interfaith families may be recognized within the community, although such marriages remain rare in Iran.

Zoroastrians do not traditionally practice dowry or parent-arranged marriages. Individuals marry of their own free will. While ancient Zoroastrian societies practiced polygamy as a cultural custom, modern Zoroastrianism strongly favors monogamy, and polygamy is discouraged.

A Zoroastrian wedding ceremony conducted in a fire temple typically lasts 45 minutes to one hour, followed by a reception that may last three to five hours, usually completed within a single day.

Judaism

Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions and the religious foundation from which Christianity emerged. While conversion to Judaism is permitted, it involves a deliberate and rigorous process. Judaism has a relatively small number of adherents worldwide.

Historically, cousin marriage, including first-cousin unions, has been permitted in Jewish law. In modern times, however, such marriages are generally discouraged, particularly among Reform and Conservative Jewish communities. In Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox communities, pre-arranged marriages known as shidduch are common. In these arrangements, parents or matchmakers suggest potential partners, but the consent of both the man and the woman is essential. Among Reform and Conservative Jews, individuals usually choose their own partners.

In Jewish marriage, the bride does not give dowry. Instead, the husband makes a financial commitment to the wife through a marriage contract called the ketubah. The wedding ceremony takes place under a canopy known as the chuppah, symbolizing the home the couple will build together. The ketubah is signed before or during the ceremony. At the conclusion, the groom breaks a glass, and the guests exclaim “Mazel tov,” meaning “congratulations.”

Jewish weddings are joyful events marked by music, singing, and lively dances such as the hora, during which the couple may be lifted on chairs. The ceremony typically lasts 20 to 45 minutes, while the celebration and banquet may continue for three to six hours. Although weddings can be grand and elaborate, the central emphasis remains on the couple’s commitment rather than the scale or cost of the celebration.

Buddhism

Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, and is both a religion and a philosophy emphasizing ethical living, wisdom, and mental discipline to reduce suffering and attain inner peace. Buddhism is highly flexible regarding marriage and places importance on mutual respect, compassion, and ethical conduct.

Interfaith marriage is allowed in Buddhism, and neither partner is required to convert. While pre-arranged marriages may exist in some cultures influenced by Buddhism, they are generally uncommon. Dowry is not a religious requirement, as marriage is viewed primarily as a harmonious partnership rather than a contractual exchange.

Buddhist weddings are usually civil ceremonies, sometimes accompanied by cultural traditions and Buddhist blessings. These blessings may be offered even when one spouse is not Buddhist. In modern Buddhist societies, polygamy is not practiced and is often illegal, with monogamy being the norm.

Hinduism

Hinduism is among the world’s oldest religions, encompassing a wide range of philosophies, rituals, and social customs. It allows interfaith marriage depending on family, community, and regional traditions. Such marriages are not strictly regulated by religious doctrine, and conversion is not mandatory, though social opposition may exist, particularly in caste-based communities.

Arranged marriage has long been a respected practice in Hindu society, although its form has evolved over time. Love marriages and arranged marriages are both recognized. Cousin marriage is socially accepted in many South Indian Hindu communities, including marriages between a man and his mother’s brother’s daughter or his father’s sister’s daughter, as well as uncle–niece marriages in some regions. In contrast, most North Indian Hindu communities consider cousin marriage incestuous and strictly follow gotra (clan lineage) rules, which prohibit marriage within the same lineage. Hindu scriptures do not clearly ban cousin marriage; instead, marriage rules are governed largely by local customs and traditions.

Traditional Hindu marriage types include Brahma marriage (the most respected form, in which parents give the bride to a suitable groom), Daiva marriage (now rare and obsolete), Arsha or Prajapatya marriage (simple, duty-oriented unions), and Gandharva marriage (a love marriage based on mutual consent).

Hindu weddings are often colorful, elaborate, and multi-day celebrations. Common events include engagement rituals, mehndi (henna ceremony), sangeet (music and dance night), the wedding ceremony around a sacred fire, and a reception. Celebrations may last from two to five days or longer. Weddings feature vibrant attire, jewelry, floral decorations, sacred chants, music, dance, and large communal feasts. While Hindu weddings are traditionally grand, simplicity is also acceptable, and extravagance is not a religious requirement.

Hinduism does not religiously mandate polygamy, nor does it encourage it. Monogamy is the norm, and polygamy is illegal for Hindus in India. Dowry is not a religious requirement in Hindu marriage, although it has existed historically as a social custom in some regions.

 

 

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