Wedding

The wedding is the classic image of coniunctio, the sacred union of opposites. Everywhere weddings hold this symbolic value, where the two "different" complement each other and become a unity, which—especially with the subsequent birth of a CHILD—becomes a whole greater than its parts.

The erotic, fertilizing aspect of the wedding is reflected in many myths (the union of heaven and earth) and rituals (the union of king and priestess), and has a strong presence in mystery religions and mysticism (such as the marriage of the sun and moon in alchemy). Virginity is associated with the wedding, as it symbolizes life’s divine origin, and the union of humans becomes the worldly vessel of the divine, ensuring the continuation of life.

The union symbolized by the mystical wedding is expressed as the marriage between king and queen, as it represents something beyond the sphere of consciousness.

Weddings and marriages are connected with sacrifice and initiation, both in ancient rituals and in contemporary dreams. A literal interpretation of this connection can be seen when, for instance, a young man is reluctant to marry (or nowadays to have children) with the one he loves, as he fears losing his freedom and youth. This is something he must sacrifice to take the next step, a psychological circumstance often reflected in dreams.

The symbol of marriage also appears in conjunction with death and burial. According to von Franz (1995b, p. 141), it is a recurring image in the dreams of older people, indicating the approaching end.

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