Whenever I talk of an era I would love to have lived in, I always end up saying "The Victorian Era". It is something that fascinates me so much. What's amazing about it is, the lifestyles, the flirting, the clothes, the drama, the creepy and vague stories, the wines and dines and of course the best of polished behavior.
Victorian Age or Era as you may put it was names after Queen Victoria and the sources say that she was very freaky and dark in her own way. Hence the Victorian Age was also as some of you may know it very dark, full of thrills, mysteries and dramatic back locks. There are many facts to be learnt from the Victorian Age (For a person like me at least, adore the mystery and subtleties).
There are so many facts and subtleties that I can't even describe to be so sweet. Well, I loved the fact that courtship was widely accepted and practiced during that Era. A man and woman had to be very careful about how they met and engaged in conversations. Balls and dances was the medium through which a young girl was introduced to the society. Items of apparel such as fans, gloves and handkerchiefs were objects given meaning as "Love Tokens". The diamond ring that signifies innocence became popular as the engagement stone during this era.
Courtship during that era was more of a career move for men because the lady's property would be in the man's name.The Victorian times manners were as important as being educated. Some important rules and Etiquette's were:
There are so many facts and subtleties that I can't even describe to be so sweet. Well, I loved the fact that courtship was widely accepted and practiced during that Era. A man and woman had to be very careful about how they met and engaged in conversations. Balls and dances was the medium through which a young girl was introduced to the society. Items of apparel such as fans, gloves and handkerchiefs were objects given meaning as "Love Tokens". The diamond ring that signifies innocence became popular as the engagement stone during this era.
Courtship during that era was more of a career move for men because the lady's property would be in the man's name.The Victorian times manners were as important as being educated. Some important rules and Etiquette's were:
- A single woman never walked out alone, her Chaperone had to be older and preferably married.
- If she progressed to the stage of Courtship in which she walked out with a gentleman, they always walked apart.A gentleman could offer his hand over rough spots, the only contact he was allowed with a woman who was not his fiancee.
- A lady should not attend a public ball without an escort, in fact no lady should be left unattended.
- An introduction in the public ball room must be understood by the gentleman to be for that evening only, after which acquaintanceship ceases, unless the lady chooses to recognize it any further time or place.
- Now this is Epic - A true gentleman always tips his hat to greet a lady, always opens doors, and always walks on the outside.
- A gentleman may delicately kiss a lady's hand, the forehead, or at the most, the cheek.
- Proper women never rode alone in a carriage with a man who wasn't a relative.
- She would never call upon an unmarried gentleman at his place of residence.
- She couldn't receive a man at home if she was alone. Another family member had to be present in the room.
- No impure conversations were held in front of single women.
- No sexual contact was allowed before marriage.Innocence was demanded by men from girls in his class, and most especially from his future wife.
- Dancing with the same man more than 3 times was considered as forward. However, only if there were some relation that was formed it was acceptable.
Did you all know though a woman was not allowed to say things or speak her heart but a few liberties were given to women. She could flirt with her fan. YES! Her fan! This behavior was within the protocol of accepted behavior. Here are what different signals meant.
- When She moved her fan fast - I am independent
- When She moved her fan slow - I am engaged
- When she fanned with her right hand in front of her face - Come on
- When she fanned with her left hand in front of her face - Leave me
- Fan open and shut - Kiss me
- Fan half open - Friendship
- Fan wide open - Love
- Fan shut - Hate
- Fan swinging - Can I see you home?
Isn't it cute? I love the entire feel of courtship and chivalry. For me a person with a chivalrous attitude is in my good books for life. These were a few trivia's about how courtship was held during the Victorian Age. This doesn't mean that everything was on a brighter side, there were a lot of negatives about this age as well. I will write about it in my next post.
Hope you all liked this post. It's something I adore since a very long time or since I could remember.
Peace
xoxoxo
nice 1.. something good to know.. thanks for increasing the body of knowledge..
ReplyDeleteThat was a very very informative piece Hitu! I never knew some of the finer points about that era like the flirting with the fan thing or the rules that was imposed on courtship. It's true that the Victorian era had it's dark moments, but I too wish some of those ideas had survived til today.
ReplyDeletehaha..quite an optimistic perception towards that era! the times when the stories of 'raja and rani' were true, and even were not bound to kids but adults gave attention to it as it was the part of gossips. but imagine how would you live without no internet no tv no radio. And flashing flags in winters to flirt. And london shehr me ghoomiyo with your long ghagra. But yes, every period has some individuality and authenticity. Cute women were in those times, not like ready to bite you in these times. And the concept of PURE women today if even exists, is a pure hypocrisy.
ReplyDeleteWWhoa! Always have been a fan of this era. Very informative stuff!
ReplyDelete