From the looks of the comment section of our very first Southern tradition post, y’all sure seem to like history, don’t ya! Well, I’ve got another Southern tradition for y’all today – the cake pull.

Image credit: Mark Eric.

Most popular in the South, especially around New Orleans, the Cake Pull gets it’s roots from an old Victorian tradition of “ribbon pulling.” In those days, charms of luck and good fortune were placed into the wedding cake by the bride for her single friends. Now a days, bakers place sterling silver charms with specific means inside the bottom layer of the bride’s cake and all the single ladies are given the opportunity to pull a charm from the cake (a ceremony called the “ribbon pull”) just before the cake is cut.

Each charm has a specific and special meaning:

Hot Air Balloon or Eiffel Tower – A life full of adventure and travel

Claddagh – Friendship, Love, & Loyalty

Butterfly – Eternal Beauty

Star – Your wish will come true!

Anchor – Adventure is around the corner.

Four Leaf Clover – Good luck!

Flower – Blossoming love.

Heart – New Love!

Fleur-de-Lis – Love and Prosperity.

Kite- Something fun is about to happen.

Wishbone – Success!

Ring (similar to catching the bouquet)- Next to get married!

Did you have a ribbon pull ceremony? Do you have a crazy Southern tradition you’re just dieing to learn about. Let me know.

Looking for a place to put your cake pulls? Try my Mama’s Homemade Poundcake recipe here.