A Mississippi Theme: More Than Just Fried Foods and Magnolias

Yesterday morning, my graduate assistant was telling me about a wedding that she went to this past weekend.  She had a great time the entire weekend but the thing that stood out the most to her was the attention to detail. The bride had incorporated a  Southern Rustic theme in everything from the engagement pictures to the reception centerpieces.

On the way back up to Oxford from the wedding, her and her boyfriend talked about how they would even start to top that type of wedding.  Her boyfriend decided that they would have to have a theme if they wanted to come close to having that kind of unique and seamless event. My GA replied, "Can't we just have a wedding?" But her boyfriend insisted that a theme would be the only way to have a wedding  that creative.  She agreed with the idea, asking what kind of theme.  He told her he thought a Mississippi theme would be a great one to have.  To that idea, she laughed, "What are we going to have to represent Mississippi? Fried foods and Magnolias?"  With a greasy and floral vision decorating her future wedding, my GA opted for another idea.   I will leave that theme as a secret to not give away any of her potential plans.

My sweet Magnolia

But the cultural symbols of Mississippi  she mentioned got me to thinking and the Mississippian in me got a little fired up - we are much MORE than fried foods and a flower. Now don't get me wrong, I love our state flower. So much in fact, I named my precious dog after it.  Yes, my white furry baby is named Magnolia.  And I do occasionally  (okay often)  like some good fried catfish but I eat fried food so seldom (not that often!) that I would not use that as my defining Mississippi quality. So I kept on thinking, after all I have lived here pretty much all of my life but never gave much thought to our cultural symbols.

So what does one do when one does not know something, needs inspiration, or wants an answer to a question? A smart one googles!  And therefore, I turned to my good friend Google.  I googled cultural symbols of Mississippi and then I googled Mississippian culture.  Instead of a fried catfish on a plate garnished with a Magnolia, I was proud to be bombarded with so many positive images of our culture. Read on if any of you out there want a Mississippi themed party or just want to know a little more about our state....

The first symbol that came up consistently was the great sounds and images of our state music, the Blues.  Okay, so maybe the idea of the blues wouldn't be the best themed music to have at a happy party like a wedding reception.  Then again I know a lot of almost married people that might find the theme fitting. Just kidding!  I only know a few.  Anyway, regardless of the origin, a good blues band is hard to compete with for a better type of music.  If you have a talented blues artist then you have a happy crowd.  Fortunately, living in Oxford, I get to expose myself quite often to this genre. Aren't I lucky?

Jillian Cotton Centerpieces

Another symbol of our state is something you are probably wearing right now.  Yes, cotton.  When this symbol came up, I then remembered seeing centerpieces made of cotton in The Grove this past year.  So besides dressing in it, you can even decorate with it!  I call it our Mississippi snow because the fields are so pretty right before the cotton is harvested. So whether you are planning a reception, a tailgating event, or just wanting ideas to redecorate your home, cotton may be your innovative, Mississippi themed choice!

A beautiful state symbol

A few years ago after Hurricane Katrina devasted our coast, the state symbol for the car tags became the famous lighthouse that still stood.  I heard a few people complain over it, saying that it did not represent the entire state. They wondered why we were all using the lighthouse on our tags.  But to me it did represent the state.  These people just have to allow themselves to see past the concrete image and look at the meaning.  The lighthouse represents hope and a bright light to guide us, as a state, out of a devasting time to a better future.  To me it was crucial that the lighthouse was used all over the state, not because we all lived on the coast, but because we were all pulling together like one family to help our coast residents.  Mississippi is a state that pulls together and helps in times of crisis. We also celebrate the joys of life together. So the lighthouse to me is a happy, enduring symbol.  And just plain ole' pretty too!

Are you Irish and want a Mississippi themed event?  Do you like to have fun?  Well another image that came up when I hit search was our nationally recognized St. Paddy's Day Parade!  This unique event has been compared to our nation's other large parades in Chicago and Savannah. I have heard rumors too that it is ranked in the top five or so of parades. However, when I googled it I couldn't find that exact article. Still 60,000 parade goers take to the streets of Downtown Jackson in the middle of March every year for a great Southern/Irish style party!  To me the symbol of this parade was the Sweet Potato Queens but sadly they went to their own parade this year but that is a whole other blog topic. 

Rowan Oak

Some more cultural symbols of our state included famous writers, musicians, craftsmen, cooks and artists.  I once heard a writer at Thacker Mountain Radio once chide the audience, "I hate you Southern writers, you don't even have to make this stuff up!"  The audience laughed at this good natured statement because it is true. We live a life so unbelievable and wonderful down here, some in beautiful Southern Colonial style homes (another symbolic image), that being creative comes easy to most of us.

I could go on with images of sweet tea, antebellum dresses, and pearls. I also left out Mississippi Mud Cake, pecans, football, bottle trees, and cheese straws.   You get the picture or symbol, right? Once again, I am proud of my state and what it has to offer.  Now you have a good start of ideas for cultural symbols if you are planning a themed party, a redecoration project, or just wanted to know more about Mississippi culture.  And as a hospitable modern Southerner would say, "Until next time y'all! And tell your mama I said hey!"