Christianity
Islam
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Marriage & Wedding Rites
Marriage is sanctified in every major tradition as a sacred covenant or sacrament. Wedding ceremonies — from the Christian nuptial mass to the Islamic nikah to the Hindu saptapadi — express the belief that the union of two persons is blessed and witnessed by the divine.
Across the World's Religions
Christianity
- Practice
- Holy Matrimony — sacramental union before God
- Key Text
- Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:25-33; John 2:1-11
Islam
- Practice
- Nikah — marriage contract with mahr (dowry) and witnesses
- Key Text
- Quran 4:4, 30:21
Judaism
- Practice
- Kiddushin — betrothal; Chuppah ceremony; breaking of glass
- Key Text
- Genesis 2:24; Jeremiah 7:34; Ketubbot 7b
Hinduism
- Practice
- Vivaha — Saptapadi (seven steps around sacred fire)
- Key Text
- Rig Veda 10.85; Grihya Sutra
Buddhism
- Practice
- Blessing ceremony by monks — marriage is a civil/social matter
- Key Text
- DN 31 (Sigalovada Sutta); AN 4.55