Happy is the bride the sun shines on, And the corpse the rain rains on.
Happy is the bride the sun shines on, And the corpse the rain rains on.
Meaning in plain English
The saying gives sunshine at a wedding and rain at a funeral favourable meanings. It assigns different weather wishes to two very different occasions.
Example
Guests treat unexpected rain as weather rather than a verdict on a couple’s future, while respecting someone’s chosen ceremonial language.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Bride and corpse are paired with sun and rain, making weather a symbolic part of each event. The verse does not establish future happiness, the state of a deceased person or the outcome of a marriage. A careful reading recognises an omen or ceremonial wish while allowing people to celebrate or mourn without judging them by conditions outside their control.
When to use it
Use it to discuss weather symbolism around celebration and mourning.
Keep in mind
Weather does not establish a person’s fate or the quality of a relationship.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-04. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 745 · Happy
Read the original context ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · historical anthology
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Public domain (United States)
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗
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