Family The Paradise Rev. Jacob Antony Koodathinkal
30th Episode on Successful Family Life.
Symbols of Marriage: Significance of Thali in Marriage
Talikettu or Minnukettu is supposed to be the most important public ritual by the bride and the groom in a marriage ceremony.
Pennu Kettu’ is the colloquial Malayalam equivalent of wedding, which literally means tying of the bride. The Mangalsutras used in Kerala, the Hindus use ‘Thaali’ and the Christians ‘Minnu’.
Mangalsutra is considered as the symbol of marriage in India. The word Mangalsutra is derived from sankrit word ‘Mangal’ which meaning holy and ‘Sutra’ meaning thread. The tradition of tying Mangalsutra is followed among almost all the Indian communities. 
Marriage itself is called Kettukalyanam. Bridegroom is known as Kettiyavan or Tali kettiyavan (one who tied the Tali).
1) This is a symbol of the mutual ownership.. It signifies the authority of one over the other. In biblical terms, husband has the authority on the body of his wife and wife has the authority on the body her husband.
The Celebrant (Priest/Achen/Vicar) blesses the minnu and then holds the thread with the minnu, for the groom to tie it around the neck of the bride assisted by the groom's eldest sister.
2) By this they declare that they are tied together for life. Minnu represents a long and happy married life, a safe and comfortable place for children to grow up and a family that cares for the needs of the community.
There are two types of knots. "Penn Kettu" and "Aan Kettu". If you are a groom, you better make sure to practice enough before marriage. The knot to be tied is the Aan-Kettu easily won't slip off, reason for using that knot.
3) This make sure the Unity with family and to God
On one side of the minnu is a cross made with 12 small beads(muthu) signifying the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit (3) and the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, the nine visible attributes of a true Christian --- love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance (9). 
Seven thread from mathrkodi joints together: The Minnu is put on seven strands of thread from the Manthrakodi. Seven represents the bride, the groom, the couple’s parents and the Christ. or it represents the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In some Christian communities, the Minnu remains on the thread for one week until the groom’s mother cuts the thread, and the Minnu is moved onto a chain. Often husbands cuts the thread and moves the Minnu to a gold Chain (Thali Mala).
4) Minnu Represent Care and Safety
Banyan tree spreads out to cover a wide area and provides shelter and comfort to others. A minnu is in the shape of a banyan tree leaf.
Thus the minnu represents a long and happy married life, a safe and comfortable place for children to grow up and a family that cares for the needs of the community.
A married lady always wears her minnu, as a sign that she is married. She wears it till the death of her husband. But most of them wear it till the end of their life.
Minnu is not an ornament it is part of her life.
When a lady wear it a men think she is belongs to some one, it is in the center attraction point.
5. The Shape of Tali represent love: The heart symbolises the concept of love, and the cross reflects that the relationship between a husband and wife must follow the relationship between Jesus and his bride, the Church. The unexpected love of Christ, sacrificial love
Lets see next week with the significance of ring
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Family The Paradise Rev. Jacob Antony Koodathinkal