Luck Through the Porcelain

(Novice)

Awakening to the smells of horse and hay, neighs and nickers echoing below the loft and the sound of grain being dished was a common way for a young woman, Elda, to be brought from slumber. It was the standard, truth be told, as she was certainly not fond of alarm clocks blaring and jarring her awake.

But this day was not the usual, and she bolted upright when she realized she had fallen asleep at her desk once again! Standing in a flurry, some papers scattering that she stumbled to retrieve and place back on her desk, Elda was quick to tear out of her office with keys in hand.

“Oh Elda, don’t forget that box near the barn door!” Someone called out, and she cast a quick wave to them in thanks as she spied said box; it was standard cardboard, but old and dilapidated, as if one accidental kick could send its contents spilling out. She was careful as she took it into her arms, squeezing out the half-open barn, squinting against the sunlight that vanished all remaining sleep from her mind.

It was only minutes later she was on the road, battered box clinking in the passenger seat of her just as old truck. Her lips were twisted down, teeth she hadn’t brushed peeking out amidst the grimace as she glanced between road and digital clock. She was certainly going to be late!

Her phone, seated in the cupholder, was ignored. She knew she was late, she didn’t need anyone nagging her over it!

Twenty minutes after bolting into her truck, she parked it with a slight screech of the tires and was dashing like mad once again; slam door, run and open side door, yank box and worry it may burst, slam side door... She panted as she set the box on the walkway up to her childhood home, bent over her knees with fists planted at her hips. “You’re late, Elda!” Someone whispered harshly, and she shook her head, brushing them off without further agitation.

She rose as she, and the group she was crowded along the walkway with, heard the front door creaking open. Reaching for her box, she tossed its contents out and over the sidewalk leading up to the house as two young men stepped out, smiling at the crowd and obviously filled with as much excitement as everyone else.

“Scherben bringen Glück!” The crowed shouted, each tossing various porcelain objects before the two men. Laughter rose, excited chatter being drowned by the breaking of porcelain cups, plates, bowls, Knick-knacks… Elda soon stepped away from the crowd and approached the men, laughing as she opened her arms wide to embrace them both.

“Poltrabend, my brothers! Welcome to our family, Paul. I hope the shards will bring you and Lukas much more luck than I.” She told them both, hugging her brother and soon-to-be brother in law tightly. They held her back as closely, laughing before parting and greeting the party. “Now let’s eat!” Someone called out cheerily, more Tacitus laughter rising as the group followed the two to wed inside the home.

Poltrabend is a German wedding tradition where porcelain is broken by guests with the hopes that the broken shards may bring the couple luck in their marriage. The term “Scherben bringen Glück” means “Shards bring luck”. The couple is then required to clean the mess up together after the party, making them aware of the hardships that may come to their marriage but that they may persevere by working together in their partnership.

I am not German myself, but this is a tradition I would enjoy participating in to show support to friends and family, as well as having done for a marriage myself! I’d likely keep some of the porcelain and frame it as a reminder.