In a traditional Filipino wedding, the ninong and ninang commonly hold the ceremonial cord over the couple.
Ninong means godfather and ninang means godmother. In a wedding, these principal sponsors may place or hold the cord that loops around the bride and groom. The cord symbolizes the couple’s bond and their life joined together in marriage.
Principal sponsors also serve as respected witnesses and advisers. Filipino weddings commonly include several symbolic rites, including the veil, cord, and arrhae coins. These elements are often performed during a Catholic ceremony.
The terms are sometimes translated simply as “sponsors,” but ninong and ninang carry a broader godparent-like meaning in Filipino culture. They are not necessarily the couple’s biological relatives.