

In Gakuen Alice, if two people exchange Alice stones that they created, it can
act as the equivalent of an engagement or promise. Is this based on any
specific Japanese tradition? If not, what is it based off of?


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culture gakuen-alice
What is the idea for exchanging Alice stones for engagement based on?


I believe this is exchange is a mix of different marriage traditions, the
oathing stone and the traditions of engagement rings.

The part about the stones is probably based on an old Scottish tradition with
Celtic roots.

The Oathing Stone is an old Scottish tradition where the bride and groom place
their hands upon a stone while saying their wedding vows. This ritual
tradition is thought to be the best way to express your solemn promise in
physical form. The idea is derived from the ancient Celtic custom of setting
an oath in stone.

The Scottish believe that an oath given near stone or water, being strong
natural elements, make the vows much more binding. Traditionally during the
reading of the bride and groom's wedding vows, they hold an oathing stone in
their hands, believing that holding the stone during the reading of the vows
casts them into the stone.

It's similar to the more modern version of the [unity
candle](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unity_candle) or [sand
ceremony](http://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/cultural-
traditions/sand-ceremony.htm).

The exchange is very similar to the exchange of rings that is prevalent is
modern culture.

In Nordic traditions, the bride-to-be and groom-to-be exchange and were
[engagement rings](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engagement_ring). The
Victorians [exchanged "regards"](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regards_ring)
with their rings.

**Together this exchange probably symbolizes a literal exchange of vows.**


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