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This little ditty is an Old English rhyme that likely begun in the Victoriaera, though no concrete origin has been discovered. The symbols mentioned it are meant to be good luck charms for the ide. “Something old” symbols the ide’s past, her family, and continuity, while “something new” reflects her journey into a new marriage and new life ahead of her. “Something borrowed” is meant to be lent by a woman in a happy and stable marriage in hopes that her fortune will rub off on the new ide. The color blue has long represented purity, love, and fidelity—a 19th-century saying claimed “Marry in blue, lover be true.” Therefore, wearing “something blue” symbolizes your commitment to love and faithfulness.
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In America, the last line of the poem, “and a sixpence in your shoe,” is frequently omitted, likely because the sixpence isn’t American currency. However, wearing the coin in your shoe represents wealth, prosperity, and financial security. If a sixpence can’t be found, a dime is something substituted; however, keepsake sixpences are available for purchase online, just for this purpose.
