Gothic Waves
This Wedding Vow Celebration was designed for an inter-ethnic and inter-faith couple of the Christian faith. The design uses elements of water, waves, and fish with Chinese and Japanese motifs to illustrate a sea of plenty for the couple. The artist was inspired by Japanese woodcuts of oceans and the grace of Gothic cathedrals. In the center are two red carps, traditional Chinese symbols for "may you always have plenty"- "niannian youyu". This Wedding Vow Celebration is suitable for Christian couples of all denominations.
Symbolism within the Design
Gothic text- Reflecting the Christian aspect of the wedding, the Gothic script, found in some of the greatest historical bibles of European art, was used.
Arches- Echoes the holy nature of the wedding with lines inspired by the vaulted ceilings of the great Gothic cathedrals and the clean lines of churches post reformation.
Water- Symbol of life in many cultures, including Asian.
Double Fish- Two carps swimming together is traditional Chinese symbol for plenty. The Chinese character for fish -鱼 "yu" is a homonym for "plenty" so it's image is often used to bless the household with plenty as in "年年有余".
Calligraphic Script Used
The calligraphic hand used is Gothic script, recalling the beautiful scripts used in illuminated bibles of the 14-16th centuries.
Text (vows)
The top two arches on the left and right sides:
I accept you as my beloved, my partner in life and my one true love. I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.
Be with us, God our Father, as we strive to fulfill our marriage vows. Grant us, O Lord, to be one heart and one soul, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
Text (body)
The remainder of text are selections from the Bible (ISV) verses below:
Book of Sirach 26
Corinthians 13: 4 -10
John: 15: 9 – 12, 15: 12 - 16
Genesis 1:26-28
Psalm 33
Colossians 3:12-17
John 15:9-12
Customization
Orders of Giclee Prints will include complimentary calligraphic fill in of brides and groom's specific information. The bride and groom full names and date of marriage is on the right side, last line to the border.
All Giclee Prints will be signed by the Artist on the back.
For completely hand calligraphed version of this design, please email us.
Size and Material
Giclee Prints: 1 to 1 Poster Sized- 52x75cm (20x29in) on archival bamboo paper (non-acidic) - $600
100% Hand Calligraphy: ~52x75cm (20x29in) Gouache on archival heavy weight handmade paper - Price upon request