In ancient Greece, a unique and symbolic custom was used by men to declare their love and propose to women. This practice involved throwing an apple at the object of their affection. The act of tossing an apple was not merely a playful gesture but a profound declaration of love and intention to marry.<img src="/uploads/apple_of_discord_3e4d444ec1.jpg" alt="apple of discord.jpg" srcset="/uploads/thumbnail_apple_of_discord_3e4d444ec1.jpg 226w,/uploads/small_apple_of_discord_3e4d444ec1.jpg 500w,/uploads/medium_apple_of_discord_3e4d444ec1.jpg 750w," sizes="100vw">@Brad Smithfield/thevintagenews.comIf the woman caught the apple or threw it back, it signified that she reciprocated the man's feelings and was prepared to marry him. This mutual exchange indicated her acceptance of the proposal and willingness to enter into a marital relationship with the potential groom. The origin of this custom is explained by two legends.The first legend concerns the "apple of discord," which sparked the Trojan War. This apple was to be given to the most beautiful woman, but the goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite quarreled over it, leading to the war.The second legend tells of the warlike maiden Atalanta. She forced her potential suitors to compete with her in a foot race, and those who lost were executed. However, Hippomenes scattered golden apples along the course, and when Atalanta stopped to pick them up, she fell behind and lost the race, thus having to marry him.

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Funny Traditions that Made Apples a Symbol of Love in Ancient Greece

The earliest surviving examples of chastity belts date back to the 16th century. Notably, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a young woman in a 16th-century grave, with a rusted chastity belt still intact. It was during this century that the mass production of chastity belts began, signaling their widespread usage!<img src="/uploads/Depositphotos_461907906_S_86b17d3424.jpg" alt="Depositphotos_461907906_S.jpg" srcset="/uploads/thumbnail_Depositphotos_461907906_S_86b17d3424.jpg 234w,/uploads/small_Depositphotos_461907906_S_86b17d3424.jpg 500w,/uploads/medium_Depositphotos_461907906_S_86b17d3424.jpg 750w," sizes="100vw">Slave Women Wore Chastity Belts to Prevent PregnancyIn Ancient Greece slave women were occasionally fitted with a unique leather belt, comprising two straps—one encircling the woman's waist, and the other passing between her legs. This design was purportedly aimed at "saving" the slave woman from pregnancy, during which she would be unable to perform her duties for her owner.<img src="/uploads/Depositphotos_179270566_S_543061dd6d.jpg" alt="Depositphotos_179270566_S.jpg" srcset="/uploads/thumbnail_Depositphotos_179270566_S_543061dd6d.jpg 234w,/uploads/small_Depositphotos_179270566_S_543061dd6d.jpg 500w,/uploads/medium_Depositphotos_179270566_S_543061dd6d.jpg 750w," sizes="100vw">By the way, men also wore chastity belts, with certain types being particularly popular during the Victorian era when indulging in physical pleasure oneself was considered a sin. However, wearing such “underwear” has often led to numerous health problems, including extreme discomfort, chafing, and even infections!&nbsp;How Could a Lover Obtain the Key to a Married Woman's Chastity Belt?Chastity belts were a luxury item affordable only to the wealthy elite, including merchants, the bourgeoisie, and the aristocracy. Families proudly boasted of their daughters' chastity belts, with a young virgin considered a valuable treasure. On the wedding day, the mother-in-law ceremoniously handed the key to the son-in-law, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility.<img src="/uploads/Depositphotos_211188352_S_ceba82bc6b.jpg" alt="Depositphotos_211188352_S.jpg" srcset="/uploads/thumbnail_Depositphotos_211188352_S_ceba82bc6b.jpg 234w,/uploads/small_Depositphotos_211188352_S_ceba82bc6b.jpg 500w,/uploads/medium_Depositphotos_211188352_S_ceba82bc6b.jpg 750w," sizes="100vw">Of course, later the husband could have a new chastity belt made for his wife, but the craftsmen, wanting to earn more money, knew all the local gossip and gave the key to the belt not only to the husband but also to the girl's lover!The Sad Truth About Modern Chastity BeltsIn contemporary times, the legacy of chastity belts persists in certain cultures, such as in Indonesia, where some Chinese women still wear them as a precaution against sexual assault.<img src="/uploads/Antirape_1_3c16a43caa.jpg" alt="Antirape (1).jpg" srcset="/uploads/thumbnail_Antirape_1_3c16a43caa.jpg 234w,/uploads/small_Antirape_1_3c16a43caa.jpg 500w,/uploads/medium_Antirape_1_3c16a43caa.jpg 750w," sizes="100vw">@Indiegogo.com &amp; AR WearMoreover, even in the 21st century, distrustful individuals have the option to order chastity belts, with specialized laboratories offering modern versions equipped with advanced materials!

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Funny Traditions that Made Apples a Symbol of Love in Ancient Greece

The Truth About Chastity Belts Turned Out to Be Scarier Than We Could Have Imagined

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