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Vow

Vow is an Australian biotechnology company specializing in cultivated meat, founded in 2019 by George Peppou and Tim Noakesmith and headquartered in Sydney.^[1] The company develops sustainable food products by growing meat directly from animal cells using cellular agriculture technology, aiming to reduce environmental impacts associated with traditional livestock farming while creating novel, nutritious meats that complement rather than replace conventional animal agriculture.^[1]^[2] Vow's flagship product, launched in April 2024, is Quailia—a cultivated Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) cell-based parfait marketed under its Forged brand—which became the first commercially available cultivated meat product from an Australian company and the third globally after approvals from Singapore's Food Agency.^[2]^[3] This launch targeted luxury dining experiences in Singapore, with the product served in select restaurants to showcase its unique texture and flavor as an original creation rather than a direct imitation of existing meats.^[2] In November 2022, Vow secured a US$49.2 million Series A funding round co-led by Blackbird Ventures and Prosperity7 Ventures, with additional participation from investors including Toyota Ventures, Square Peg Capital, and Peakbridge, to scale production and pursue regulatory approvals in markets like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea, Japan, and the Middle East.^[4]^[1] In June 2025, Vow received approval from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) for its cultivated quail products, enabling sales in Australia. In October 2025, the company launched its first at-home product, Smoked Cultured Quail Spread, under the Forged brand. Earlier in 2025, Vow reduced its workforce by 30% while seeking additional funding to extend operations, focusing on high-value, exotic meat varieties to drive innovation in the global protein sector.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Definition and Origins

Definition

A vow is defined as a solemn, voluntary promise or commitment, typically invoking a higher power, deity, or personal honor, that imposes a binding obligation on the individual making it.^[8] This form of commitment distinguishes itself through its performative nature, where the spoken or declared words create a moral or existential tie, often aiming to regulate future behavior or achieve a specific purpose. Key characteristics of vows include voluntariness, as they arise from deliberate personal choice without external coercion; solemnity, reflected in their serious tone and frequent association with ritualistic elements that underscore their gravity; and specificity, whereby vows usually outline clear terms, such as conditions, duration, or scope, to ensure enforceability within the individual's conscience or community.^[9]^[8] These traits emphasize the internal motivation and self-imposed nature of vows, setting them apart from casual assurances. Vows differ from oaths in that they represent personal, often unilateral commitments directed toward oneself or a transcendent entity, whereas oaths function as formal declarations in public, legal, or official settings that invoke an external witness to affirm truth or fidelity.^[8] This distinction highlights vows' focus on individual moral agency rather than procedural verification.^[9] The concept of vows has evolved historically from ancient rituals, such as those in pre-Roman and Gallo-Roman traditions where voluntary pledges integrated into religious and social practices to foster cultural continuity, through medieval adaptations emphasizing moral irrevocability, to modern applications as personal or ethical bindings in secular contexts.^[10] In contemporary usage, marriage vows serve as a common example, illustrating vows' role in formalizing lifelong personal commitments.^[9]

Etymology

The word "vow" entered the English language around 1200 CE through Middle English, initially denoting a solemn engagement to a religious order or a promise to God or a saint.^[11] It derives from Old French voe or vou (circa 13th century, modern French vœu), meaning a solemn pledge.^[11] This Old French term stems directly from Latin votum, a neuter noun signifying "a promise to a god, solemn pledge, or dedication," which is the past participle of the verb vovere, "to promise or vow."^[11] In ancient Roman religion, votum referred to vows made to deities, often involving offerings or dedications as precursors to the concept's broader evolution. Tracing further back, the Latin vovere connects to the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁wegʷʰ- (often simplified as wegwh-), which conveys "to speak solemnly, vow, or preach," emphasizing invocatory or promissory speech acts.^[11] This root underscores the word's historical tie to religious and ritualistic contexts, where vows functioned as binding declarations.^[11] Cross-linguistically, parallels emerge in other Indo-European branches, reflecting similar notions of solemn commitment. In Germanic languages, the Old High German gilubida (modern German Gelübde, "vow" or "pledge") arose from giloubo, meaning "belief" or "faith," highlighting a conceptual link between trust and promissory obligation.^[12] In Sanskrit, vrata denotes a religious vow or resolve, derived from the root vṛ ("to choose or will") with the suffix -ta, evoking disciplined self-imposition in Vedic traditions. These terms illustrate convergent developments in expressing vows across cultures, though not always from identical roots.^[11]

Types of Vows

Marriage Vows

Marriage vows typically consist of solemn promises exchanged between partners during a wedding ceremony, emphasizing fidelity, mutual support, and a commitment to lifelong partnership. These declarations often include pledges to love, honor, and cherish one another through various life circumstances, such as prosperity and adversity, health and illness. For instance, in many traditions, vows articulate a bond of exclusivity and assistance, symbolizing the couple's intention to build a shared future.^[13] The historical roots of marriage vows trace back to ancient Roman rituals, where brides and grooms exchanged simple affirmations like "Ubi tu Gaius, ego Gaia" (Where you are Gaius, I am Gaia), signifying a shared domestic life and unity under Roman law. These evolved through medieval Christian practices, influenced by betrothal promises that formalized commitments before the full ceremony, often involving rings as symbols of oaths and emphasizing chastity and mutual consent. By the early modern period, such vows were codified in texts like the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, standardizing phrases that underscored enduring partnership.^[14]^[15] Cultural variations in marriage vows reflect diverse matrimonial structures and values. In Western monogamous traditions, common declarations include "to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer," highlighting possession, endurance, and equality in partnership. Hindu ceremonies feature the saptapadi, or seven steps around a sacred fire, where each step represents a vow—such as promises to provide nourishment, strength, and progeny—binding the couple irrevocably through these ritualized commitments. In Islamic nikah proceedings, vows take the form of verbal affirmations by the bride and groom, confirming acceptance of the marriage contract and mutual responsibilities under Sharia, often recited before witnesses to establish consent and fidelity.^[13]^[16]^[17] In the 20th and 21st centuries, civil ceremonies have increasingly incorporated personalized elements into marriage vows, moving toward egalitarian language that avoids hierarchical terms like "obey" in favor of mutual respect and shared growth. This trend reflects broader societal shifts toward gender equality, with couples crafting declarations that emphasize partnership, emotional support, and individual fulfillment, often blending traditional phrasing with contemporary sentiments like commitments to adventure or environmental stewardship together. Such customizations allow for inclusivity in diverse unions, including same-sex marriages, while maintaining the core promise of lifelong companionship.^[18]^[19]

Religious Vows

Religious vows constitute solemn commitments undertaken by individuals in spiritual or monastic settings to pursue devotion, renunciation, and discipline as expressions of faith. These vows serve as binding promises that structure the votary's life around ethical and spiritual ideals, often requiring a profound detachment from worldly concerns to deepen communion with the divine or ultimate reality. In various traditions, they emphasize self-sacrifice and communal harmony, distinguishing them from casual oaths by their public nature and lifelong implications. Central to many Christian monastic traditions are the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, known as the evangelical counsels, which trace their formalized expression to the Benedictine Rule composed by St. Benedict of Nursia in the 6th century. The vow of poverty requires the renunciation of personal property and material possessions, promoting simplicity and reliance on communal resources; chastity demands celibacy and purity in relationships, redirecting energies toward spiritual pursuits; and obedience entails submission to the superior and the rule of the order, fostering humility and unity within the monastery. These vows, implied in the Benedictine framework though not always explicitly named, draw from Gospel exhortations such as Jesus' counsel to the rich young man to sell his possessions and follow him (Matthew 19:21).^[20]^[21] The adoption of religious vows follows a deliberate process, commencing with temporary vows during a novitiate period—typically lasting one to three years—to test and cultivate the candidate's resolve—before progressing to perpetual vows, which are irrevocable and bind the individual for life. This progression is enshrined in canon law for Catholic institutes, where public profession of vows, whether temporary or perpetual, is pronounced before the community and accepted by a superior in the Church's name, marking a formal entry into religious life.^[22]^[23] Beyond Christian monasticism, religious vows appear in Eastern traditions as structured precepts or great vows integral to ethical discipline. In Buddhism, lay practitioners and monastics undertake the five precepts—refraining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxicants—as voluntary vows that align with the ethical dimensions of the Noble Eightfold Path, such as right speech, right action, and right livelihood, to cultivate mindfulness and end suffering. Monks and nuns extend these to the full set of 227 precepts in the Theravada tradition, reinforcing commitments to non-harm and communal harmony. In Jainism, ascetics observe the five mahavratas, or great vows, which demand absolute adherence: ahimsa (non-violence toward all life forms), satya (truthfulness in thought and word), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity), and aparigraha (non-possession), forming the bedrock of purification and liberation from karma. These vows, taken upon initiation into the ascetic order, prohibit even subtle forms of harm, underscoring non-violence as the supreme religious principle.^[24]^[25]^[26]^[27] Theologically, religious vows function as covenants between the individual and the divine, imposing sacred obligations that demand fulfillment to maintain spiritual integrity. This understanding is rooted in scriptural precedents, such as Numbers 30 in the Hebrew Bible, which delineates the binding nature of vows and oaths made to the Lord, prohibiting their violation and emphasizing their weight as pledges before God, with provisions for oversight by family heads in certain cases to ensure communal order. Such covenants underscore vows not merely as personal resolutions but as acts of worship that invite divine favor and accountability.^[28]^[29]

Secular and Personal Vows

Secular and personal vows refer to voluntary, self-imposed commitments made by individuals to foster personal growth, discipline, and behavioral change outside of religious or legal frameworks. These vows often take the form of promises to oneself, emphasizing motivation and accountability without external enforcement. Common examples include New Year's resolutions, where people pledge to adopt healthier habits like regular exercise or improved financial management, serving as a ritual for self-reflection at the year's start.^[30] Similarly, sobriety pledges in programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous involve personal commitments through the 12-step process, where participants resolve to admit powerlessness over addiction and make amends as steps toward recovery.^[31] Historically, secular vows draw from traditions like ancient Greek athletic oaths, which competitors swore to uphold fair play and rules, a practice secularized in the modern Olympic oath introduced in 1920 and revised to focus solely on sportsmanship and ethical conduct without invoking deities.^[32] During the Enlightenment era, figures like Benjamin Franklin exemplified personal covenants through self-designed systems of moral improvement; in 1726, he outlined 13 virtues—such as temperance, resolution, and frugality—and tracked daily adherence in a journal to cultivate disciplined habits.^[33] These examples illustrate how secular vows evolved from ritualistic promises into tools for individual ethical and practical advancement. In contemporary settings, secular vows appear in self-help practices facilitated by habit-forming apps, which allow users to set and monitor personal pledges for goals like daily reading or mindfulness meditation; apps such as Streaks and Habitica gamify these commitments to enhance adherence through reminders and progress visualization.^[34] Environmental pledges have also surged since the 2010s, with initiatives like Plastic Free July—launched in 2011—encouraging millions annually to vow against single-use plastics for the month, promoting sustainable behaviors through collective yet personal accountability.^[35] Psychologically, these vows function as commitment devices that bolster self-discipline by creating anticipated regret for non-compliance, thereby aiding long-term behavior change. Research shows that such devices increase short-term weight loss by an average of 1.5 kg when integrated into interventions, as they leverage cognitive strategies to overcome procrastination and reinforce motivation. A 2015 theoretical analysis further highlights how commitment devices balance flexibility and restriction to support sustained goal pursuit, particularly in health and productivity contexts.^[36]^[37] Unlike binding religious vows enforced by spiritual consequences, secular ones rely on intrinsic motivation, making their efficacy dependent on personal resolve.^[38]

Vows in Religious Traditions

In Abrahamic Religions

In Judaism, vows, known as nedarim, form a significant aspect of religious practice, often involving commitments to God through offerings or abstinences. Korbanot, or votive offerings, are detailed in the Torah, particularly in Leviticus 27, where individuals pledge animals, property, or personal service to the sanctuary as a fulfillment of a vow made in response to a divine favor or petition.^[39] These offerings underscore the irrevocability of vows, emphasizing their role in drawing closer to God (korban deriving from the root meaning "to approach"). Another prominent example is the Nazirite vow, outlined in Numbers 6, where a person voluntarily abstains from wine, grape products, and haircuts for a designated period to consecrate themselves to God, culminating in specific sacrificial rites upon completion.^[40] Rabbinic tradition allows for annulment (hatarat nedarim) by a qualified authority if the vow causes undue hardship, as per the positive commandment in Numbers 30:3-14, ensuring vows do not become burdensome traps.^[41] In Christianity, vows are integrated into key sacraments and callings, reflecting a commitment to Christ and the community. Baptismal vows, recited by candidates or on their behalf, involve renouncing evil, sin, and the devil while affirming faith in the Trinity, as practiced in rites across denominations to symbolize spiritual rebirth.^[42] Ordination vows for clergy similarly bind individuals to pastoral duties, such as preaching the gospel, administering sacraments, and upholding church doctrine, often sworn before a congregation or bishop.^[43] The New Testament, particularly Matthew 5:33-37, teaches simplicity in oaths and vows, urging believers to let their "yes" be yes and "no" be no, avoiding elaborate swearing that could lead to perjury or hypocrisy, thereby prioritizing integrity over ritualistic pledges.^[44] Monastic vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience emerged prominently after the 4th century, formalized in communities inspired by early ascetics like St. Anthony, to emulate Christ's self-denial and foster communal holiness.^[45] In Islam, nadhr refers to personal vows made to Allah, typically promising an act of worship or charity in anticipation of or gratitude for divine aid, distinct from obligatory ibadat (ritual worship like prayer or fasting). The Quran in Surah Al-Insan 76:7 reinforces their binding nature: "They fulfill their vows and fear a Day whose evil is widespread." Hadith collections emphasize fulfillment, with the Prophet Muhammad stating, "Whoever vowed to obey Allah, let him obey Him, and whoever vowed to disobey Allah, let him not disobey Him," highlighting that vows should only pertain to permissible acts.^[46] Breaking a nadhr requires kaffarah (expiation), such as feeding the poor or fasting, but annulment is not typically dispensed unless unforeseen circumstances arise under scholarly ruling.^[47] Across Abrahamic traditions, vows embody solemn promises to God, generally irrevocable to maintain their sanctity, yet provisions for dispensation—such as rabbinic annulments in Judaism—prevent them from causing harm, reflecting a shared emphasis on sincere devotion over rigid legalism.^[41]

In Eastern Religions

In Hinduism, vows known as vratas represent voluntary acts of austerity and discipline undertaken to accumulate spiritual merit and purify the mind, often aligned with lunar cycles and festivals. These practices emphasize self-control and devotion, serving as personal commitments to deities for blessings or atonement. A prominent example is the Ekadashi vrata, observed on the eleventh day (ekādaśī) of the waxing and waning moon phases, involving fasting from grains and certain foods to honor Vishnu and foster mental clarity.^[48] Another key rite is the Upanayana ceremony, an initiation for boys marking entry into formal education and spiritual life, where the initiate receives a sacred thread (yajñopavīta) and vows fidelity to the guru, celibacy, and study of the Vedas during the brahmacarya stage.^[49] In Jainism, vows form the core of ascetic and lay practice, with monks and nuns taking the five great vows (mahavratas): non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), non-stealing (asteya), chastity (brahmacharya), and non-possession (aparigraha). Ahimsa, the foremost vow, prohibits harm to all living beings through thought, word, or deed, underpinning Jaina ethics and soteriology as the means to liberate the soul from karma. Lay Jains observe partial versions (anuvratas) to cultivate virtue in daily life.^[50]^[51] In Buddhism, vows manifest differently across traditions, underscoring ethical conduct as foundational to the path toward liberation. In Vajrayana, or tantric Buddhism, samaya vows constitute sacred commitments taken during empowerments (abhiṣeka), binding practitioners to their guru, deities, and the non-dual view of reality; these include root pledges against disparaging the Three Jewels and branch commitments to maintain purity in body, speech, and mind, with violations seen as severing the path to enlightenment.^[52] In Theravada, sīla (moral precepts) function as daily or periodic vows, such as the Five Precepts (pañca-sīla)—abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants—recited as training rules to cultivate virtue and mindfulness, often renewed during Uposatha observances.^[53] Other Eastern traditions incorporate vows in initiation and cultivation practices. In Sikhism, the Amrit Sanchar ceremony, established by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, initiates individuals into the Khalsa through ingestion of amrit (sweetened water stirred with a sword), accompanied by vows to uphold the Five Ks (uncut hair, comb, bracelet, undergarment, and dagger), reject caste distinctions, and live in service to the divine while combating injustice.^[54] In Taoism, pledges form part of ordination and immortality (xiān) pursuits, particularly in internal alchemy (nèidān), where adepts vow adherence to ethical codes and meditative disciplines to refine qi (vital energy) and achieve transcendence, substituting symbolic commitments for earlier ritual severances like hair-cutting.^[55] Philosophically, vows in these traditions serve as disciplined pathways to enlightenment, generating positive karma and aligning the practitioner with cosmic harmony. Central to many is ahimsa (non-harm), integrated into vows as a commitment to avoid injury to sentient beings through thought, word, or deed, thereby purifying karma and fostering compassion as essential for spiritual awakening.^[50]

Enforceability and Contracts

In modern legal systems, vows are generally treated as unilateral promises rather than bilateral contracts, and their enforceability depends on whether they meet the criteria for a binding obligation, such as the presence of consideration or detrimental reliance by the promisee. Under U.S. common law, for instance, a vow may be enforced through the doctrine of promissory estoppel if the promise induces reasonable action or forbearance by another party, resulting in foreseeable detriment, even absent traditional consideration. This principle, rooted in equity to prevent injustice, allows courts to award reliance damages or, in some cases, expectation damages to protect the relying party.^[56]^[57] The historical roots of vows as enforceable commitments trace back to Roman law, where the stipulatio served as a formal verbal contract consisting of a solemn question-and-answer exchange, such as the stipulator asking "Do you promise?" and the promisor responding "I promise," creating a binding obligation enforceable through civil actions. This institution evolved into medieval canon law, which integrated Roman principles to regulate religious vows, treating them as sacred yet juridically binding acts that imposed moral and legal duties, often influencing the development of European civil codes by emphasizing the enforceability of promises made under oath. Canon law's framework, as codified in collections like Gratian's Decretum in the 12th century, extended these concepts to vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, which were dispensed only by ecclesiastical authority and shaped secular contract doctrines on good faith and obligation.^[58]^[59] In contemporary contexts, marriage vows, while symbolic, can indirectly influence enforceability through associated legal instruments like prenuptial agreements or divorce settlements, where courts may reference the intent behind vows to interpret property division or spousal support obligations, though the vows themselves are not independently actionable as contracts. For example, in U.S. family courts, a vow to "love and cherish" might inform equitable distribution in no-fault divorces, but enforcement relies on statutory marriage laws rather than the vows' wording. Similarly, corporate "vows" articulated in mission statements—such as commitments to ethical practices or stakeholder interests—can impose fiduciary duties on directors under corporate law, requiring them to align decisions with the stated purpose to avoid breaches of the duty of loyalty, as seen in cases where deviations lead to shareholder derivative suits.^[60]^[61]^[62] Jurisdictional variations highlight stark differences in how vows are treated: in theocratic systems governed by Sharia, such as courts in Saudi Arabia or Iran, oaths and vows (yamin or nadhr) are strictly binding as religious and legal obligations, enforceable through judicial penalties or expiation (kaffara) if breached, reflecting Islam's emphasis on fulfilling promises to God or others. In contrast, secular jurisdictions like those in the United States or Europe view vows as advisory or non-binding unless they satisfy contract elements like offer, acceptance, and consideration, with courts refusing enforcement of purely religious vows to avoid entanglement with establishment clause concerns. Personal vows, such as self-imposed promises for personal growth, typically remain non-enforceable analogs in all systems, serving moral rather than legal purposes.^[63]^[64]^[65]

Consequences of Breaking Vows

Breaking a vow carries profound spiritual penalties across religious traditions, often framed as divine retribution or karmic repercussions. In the Abrahamic faiths, particularly Judaism and Christianity, the Bible warns that failing to fulfill a vow to God invites His displeasure and potential judgment; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 states, "When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it... It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay," emphasizing that God has no pleasure in fools who break such promises.^[66]^[67] This breach is seen as a form of unfaithfulness, akin to lying, which can disrupt one's fellowship with the divine and lead to spiritual setbacks.^[68] In Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism, breaking vows contributes to negative karma, perpetuating cycles of suffering through rebirth and hindering spiritual progress. The doctrine of karma posits that intentional actions, including the violation of solemn promises, generate consequences that bind the individual to samsara, the wheel of existence, until atonement or merit accumulation alters the trajectory.^[69]^[70]^[71] For instance, unfulfilled vows to deities or personal commitments accrue demerit, weakening moral resolve and inviting future adversities as retributive balance. Socially, the rupture of vows erodes trust and communal bonds, with infidelity in marriage serving as a stark example. Betrayal through extramarital affairs often precipitates divorce, as it shatters the foundational promise of fidelity; studies indicate that infidelity contributes to approximately 20-40% of marital dissolutions, leading to emotional devastation and family fragmentation.^[72]^[73] In broader communities, particularly religious ones, such breaches inflict reputational damage, ostracizing individuals from social networks and diminishing their standing; historical analyses of oath-breaking in medieval societies reveal that violations of communal vows resulted in loss of honor, exclusion, and familial disgrace.^[74] Psychologically, vow-breaking induces guilt and cognitive dissonance, manifesting as internal conflict when actions contradict personal values or commitments. Research from the early 2020s links perceived promise violations to heightened stress, anxiety, and depression, as individuals grapple with self-discrepancy and eroded self-trust; for example, a 2020 study on workplace broken promises found correlations with emotional distress and reduced mental well-being, effects amplified in intimate contexts like marriage.^[75]^[76] In romantic relationships, this dissonance fosters ongoing insecurity and difficulty in future attachments, with betrayed parties experiencing persistent doubt.^[77] Mitigation of these consequences often involves formal processes for release or absolution. In Catholicism, papal indults or dispensations from the Holy See can relieve individuals from private or religious vows for just cause, such as impossibility or undue burden, restoring spiritual equilibrium without full culpability; Canon 1196 outlines that the Roman Pontiff or designated authorities may grant such exemptions to prevent greater harm.^[78] Similarly, ecclesiastical annulments declare certain marital vows invalid ab initio, addressing irreconcilable unions while upholding doctrinal integrity, though this pertains to sacramental rather than civil remedies.

Cultural and Historical Significance

In Literature and Media

In literature, vows frequently function as symbols of profound commitment that ignite conflict and tragedy, underscoring the tension between personal pledges and external forces. In William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the titular lovers' clandestine exchange of marriage vows during the balcony scene represents a bold defiance of their feuding families, yet these vows become harbingers of doom as patriarchal societal norms clash with their union. Literary scholar Lynda E. Boose notes that the secret wedding circumvents established rites, intensifying the tragedy when Lord Capulet seeks to nullify it by betrothing Juliet to Paris, ultimately driving the lovers to suicide.^[79] Similarly, Coppélia Kahn interprets the vows as a challenge to gender-based violence, but their entrapment within Verona's feud renders the commitment fatal, highlighting vows' role in amplifying relational fragility.^[79] Medieval epics further illustrate vows as embodiments of chivalric duty, propelling heroic narratives through pledges that test loyalty amid peril. In The Song of Roland, knightly oaths to Charlemagne exemplify fealty and honor, with Roland's vow to safeguard the rear-guard at Roncevaux Pass serving as a central plot device that escalates the battle's stakes. LitCharts analysis reveals how Roland's adherence to this pledge, coupled with his prideful refusal to blow the Olifant for aid, results in the annihilation of his comrades, transforming the vow into a catalyst for epic sacrifice and Charlemagne's vengeful pursuit.^[80] This portrayal evolves vows from mere promises into markers of martial identity, where breach or overzealous fulfillment invites devastating consequences. In contemporary media, vows adapt into tropes that both celebrate and complicate commitment, often driving comedic or dramatic resolutions. Romantic comedies since the 1990s frequently employ wedding scenes as feel-good climaxes, symbolizing relational affirmation amid modern stresses like infidelity or routine. A University of Nevada, Las Vegas thesis on wedding films analyzes how portrayals in such films idealize weddings as affirmations of enduring love, yet subtly critique unrealistic expectations by juxtaposing them with chaotic pre-wedding antics.^[81] Television series such as Game of Thrones invert this optimism, depicting oath-breaking as a harbinger of ruin in a world governed by feudal codes. The Washington Post review of the episode "Oathkeeper" details how Jaime Lannister's violation of his Kingsguard vows fractures his bond with Cersei, while Night's Watch mutineers' betrayal unleashes brutality against innocents, underscoring vows' power to unleash cycles of violence and death.^[82] Symbolically, vows transition from heroic ideals in early literature to instruments of modern critique, functioning as plot devices that expose commitment's double-edged nature. Scholarly examinations, such as those in Vows and Violence in the Medieval and Early Modern Chivalric Romance, trace this evolution: medieval texts dramatize vows' susceptibility to failure through knights' perilous pledges, while later narratives question their rigidity, using broken or renegotiated vows to probe ethical dilemmas and power dynamics.^[83] In 21st-century media, this shift manifests in portrayals favoring fluid over absolute commitments, reflecting broader cultural moves toward viewing marriage as adaptable partnerships rather than irrevocable bonds.

Historical Examples

One prominent ancient example of a vow shaping historical events was Hannibal Barca's oath of enmity against Rome, sworn as a young boy around 237 BCE by his father, Hamilcar Barca, on the altar of a Carthaginian deity. According to Roman historians like Livy and Polybius, this blood oath committed Hannibal to lifelong hostility toward Rome, motivating his leadership in the Second Punic War (218–201 BCE) and his audacious crossing of the Alps with war elephants, which nearly toppled the Roman Republic despite ultimate defeat at Zama.^[84] In ancient Sparta, the agoge training system for boys aged seven to twenty instilled unbreakable loyalty through rigorous physical and moral discipline, culminating in oaths that Spartan hoplites swore to fight valiantly without retreating, even to death, to defend the polis. This pledge, rooted in the 7th-century BCE traditions, reinforced the Spartan warrior ethos during conflicts such as the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BCE, where King Leonidas and his 300 fulfilled it by holding the pass against overwhelming Persian forces, preserving Greek city-state independence.^[85] During the medieval period, the vows taken at the Council of Clermont in 1095 by Pope Urban II marked a pivotal moment, as thousands of European nobles and knights pledged to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim control, sewing crosses onto their garments as symbols of their sacred commitment. These crusading vows, promising plenary indulgence for sins, mobilized diverse armies across Europe, leading to the capture of Antioch in 1098 and Jerusalem in 1099, but also sparking centuries of geopolitical conflict, including the establishment of Latin kingdoms in the Levant and heightened Christian-Muslim antagonism.^[86] In the modern era, the Founding Fathers of the United States formalized their revolutionary vow on July 4, 1776, by signing the Declaration of Independence, mutually pledging "our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor" to support independence from Britain.^[87] This oath-like commitment exposed signers like Thomas Jefferson and John Hancock to treason charges, financial ruin, and execution, yet galvanized colonial resistance, contributing to victory in the American Revolutionary War and the founding of a new republic based on Enlightenment principles. During World War II, resistance movements often began with personal or group vows of defiance against Nazi occupation, such as those sworn by French Maquis fighters to sabotage German operations and aid Allied liberation, embodying a commitment to national sovereignty amid persecution.^[88] These pledges sustained underground networks, facilitating key actions like intelligence for D-Day, though many resisters faced capture and death. A striking success of a modern vow was Mahatma Gandhi's lifelong commitment to ahimsa (non-violence), formalized in campaigns like the 1942 Quit India Movement, where he urged followers to pledge peaceful resistance against British rule, declaring "Do or Die" while insisting on non-violent means. This vow-inspired mass civil disobedience pressured Britain, accelerating India's independence in 1947 and influencing global non-violent movements, though it faced challenges from sporadic violence by participants.^[89] Conversely, numerous historical treaties served as solemn vows between nations that were subsequently broken, leading to profound consequences; for instance, the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie promised the Lakota Sioux perpetual rights to the Black Hills, but U.S. government violations through gold rush encroachments and military seizures in the 1870s sparked the Great Sioux War and ongoing land disputes.^[90] Similarly, the 1835 Treaty of New Echota, coercing Cherokee removal, was ignored in practice, resulting in the Trail of Tears and the displacement of thousands, exemplifying how failed interstate vows eroded trust and fueled indigenous resistance.^[91]

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The traditional vow is: "I, _____, take thee, _____, to be my wedded wife (husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for ...
[12]
LacusCurtius • Roman Marriage — Matrimonium (Smith's Dictionary, 1875)
### Summary of Ancient Roman Marriage Rituals and Vows
[13]
[PDF] Something Borrowed: The Origins of Christian Wedding Rituals
Nov 5, 2022 · Christian wedding rituals were influenced by Jewish and Roman traditions, with early Christians adapting or abstaining. By the second century, ...
[14]
[PDF] A Cross-Cultural Study of Weddings through Media and Ritual
This has been deemed one of the most important rituals in the wedding besides saptapadi(seven vows). Mangalfera takes place next, where the bride and groom ...
[15]
Modern Traditions in Muslim Marriage Practices, Exploring English ...
Aug 16, 2018 · This reflection on the vows was an interesting admission, as the Nikah ceremony simply requires affirmation of marriage by the bride and groom ...Abstract · Liminality: Marriage Practices... · Engaging the Field · Categories of Nikah
[16]
Anatomy of an Egalitarian Wedding Ceremony - The Junia Project
Feb 9, 2015 · A couple wants their wedding to reflect egalitarian convictions, they must thoughtfully “dissect” each part of the ceremony and prepare some of the “ ...Missing: modern customizations 20th century trends
[17]
Wedding Vows for Modern Times | Psychology Today
Sep 27, 2016 · Today's marital vows seem to be much more about personal fulfillment than about making a life and a home together.Missing: customizations egalitarian language 20th century trends
[18]
Vows of a Benedictine Monk - Conception Abbey
Under this vow are included the evangelical counsels: poverty and chastity, which commit the monk to a renunciation of personal possessions and embracing ...
[19]
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Rule of St. Benedict - New Advent
The vows of Poverty and Chastity, though not explicitly mentioned by St. Benedict, as in the rules of other orders, are yet implied so clearly as to form an ...
[20]
Code of Canon Law - The People of God - Part II. (Cann. 607-709)
A religious institute is a society in which members, according to proper law, pronounce public vows, either perpetual or temporary which are to be renewed.
[21]
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Religious Profession - New Advent
In congregations which have no solemn vows, the Holy See ordinarily prescribes a term of temporary vows, varying from three to six years, before the perpetual ...
[22]
What Are the Precepts? - Tricycle: The Buddhist Review
These five guidelines are to refrain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false and harmful speech, and intoxication.
[23]
The Noble Eightfold Path: The Way to the End of Suffering
The goal here is the end of suffering, and the path leading to it is the Noble Eightfold Path with its eight factors: right view, right intention, right speech ...
[24]
The Five Maha-vratas (Great Vows) of Ascetics - JAINA-JainLink
Non violence is the supreme religion (Ahimsa parmo dharma). It is repeatedly said in Jain literature; "Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, ...
[25]
Panch Mahawrat - Jainworld
Sep 9, 2022 · Panch Mahawrat are the five main vows of Jainism: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha, meant for strict observance by ascetics.
[26]
Numbers 30 Study Bible
" This underscores the biblical principle that vows made to God are sacred and must be fulfilled, reflecting the Hebrew root "נדר" (neder), meaning vow. 2 ...
[27]
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Numbers Chapter 30
A vow made to God is no small thing. God commanded that His people should be careful to keep their vows and to fulfill every oath they made.
[28]
New Year's Resolutions: Vows To Oneself - Hum Healing
Dec 29, 2024 · A resolution is a vow made to oneself. It is a determination first made in the mind, and then affirmed as an orientation in physical space ...
[29]
The Twelve Steps - Alcoholics Anonymous
The “Twelve Steps” are the core of the A.A. program of personal recovery from alcoholism.Missing: commitment pledge
[30]
The modern olympic ritual - Aspetar Sports Medicine Journal - Home
“In the name of all the competitors I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ...
[31]
Ben Franklin: The Thirteen Necessary Virtues - Farnam Street
In his autobiography, Ben Franklin proposes 13 timeless virtues that everyone should strive toward. Let's take a look at them.
[32]
The 5 best habit tracker apps in 2025 - Zapier
Jul 17, 2025 · The best habit tracker apps are Streaks, HabitNow, Way of Life, Habitify, and Habitica.Missing: vows | Show results with:vows
[33]
Imagining a World Free of Plastic Waste - Earth Island Institute
Jul 1, 2021 · In just a decade, the Plastic Free July initiative has grown from a grassroots movement to a global campaign.
[34]
The effect of commitment-making on weight loss and behaviour ...
Jun 24, 2019 · The results suggest that commitment devices may improve short and longer term weight loss outcomes and dietary change when delivered alongside ...Missing: vows | Show results with:vows
[35]
Commitment, Flexibility, and Optimal Screening of Time Inconsistency
Jul 29, 2015 · This paper develops a theory of optimal provision of commitment devices to people who value both commitment and flexibility and whose preferences differ in the ...
[36]
Commitment Devices Using Initiatives to Change Behavior
Aug 9, 2025 · Personalization and pre-commitment were used to improve participant engagement with the headache diary and/or behavioral exercises through the ...Missing: vows | Show results with:vows
[37]
Qorbanot: Sacrifices and Offerings - Judaism 101 (JewFAQ)
A qorban requires the renunciation of something that belongs to the person making the offering. Thus, sacrifices are made from domestic animals, not wild ...<|separator|>
[38]
The Nazir and the Nazirite Vow - Chabad.org
The nazir (nazirite) is a person who decided to take upon him or herself a vow to live a strict and holy lifestyle. Chief among the nazirite laws is that ...The Nazir in the Bible · What Does “Nazir” Mean? · How Does the Nazirite Vow...
[39]
The Nullification of Vows - Positive Commandment 95 - Chabad.org
The 95th mitzvah is that we are commanded regarding the annulment of vows. This does not mean that there is a commandment to annul vows.
[40]
Baptismal Covenant - The Episcopal Church
The baptismal covenant, found on p. 304-5 of The Book of Common Prayer, is a small catechism for use during the rite of initiation into the Church.
[41]
Order for Ordination to the Office of Minister of Word and Sacrament
Love Christ: feed his lambs, tend his sheep. Be an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Attend to reading, prayer, study,
[42]
What does it mean to let your yes be yes and your no be no?
Jan 14, 2025 · It means to simply say 'Yes' or 'No' and mean it, sticking by it, and being truthful in all circumstances, not creating loopholes.
[43]
The History of Monastic Vows | Church Blog - St Elisabeth Convent
Dec 26, 2021 · The basic principles of monastic life were formed in the early New Testament era, but monasticism as an institution did not appear until the 4th century.
[44]
Muwatta Malik - Hadith on Vows and Oaths - IslamiCity
It states that whoever vows to obey Him should fulfill their vow and whoever vows to disobey Him should not do so.
[45]
Lesson 56: Nadhr | Elements of Islamic Studies - Al-Islam.org
Nadhr is a vow, a voluntary undertaking, of an act of virtue, as binding one's self in gratitude for some special favor prayed for.
[46]
[PDF] A Study of the Puranic Vratas - MacSphere
EkadasI, as the name suggests, is a vrata to be observed on the eleventh day of the moon's increase or decrease in each month (although Caitra is the favoured ...
[47]
Ceremonies associated with Upanayana (initiation)
Nov 7, 2023 · This page relates 'Ceremonies associated with Upanayana (initiation)' of the study on the (formal) education system in Ancient India with reference to Vedic ...
[48]
Fourteen root downfalls - Rigpa Wiki
May 7, 2024 · Fourteen major samayas in the Sarma tradition. There are two variations of the root tantric vows, one specific to the Kalachakra Tantra and one common to all ...<|separator|>
[49]
The Five Precepts: pañca-sila - Access to Insight
The precepts are often recited after reciting the formula for taking refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.
[50]
Taking Amrit: Initiation - The Pluralism Project
Taking amrit is the initiation ceremony that allows Sikhs to become members of the Khalsa. Amrit means immortal nectar and refers to the bowl of sugar water ...
[51]
[PDF] The Cavern-Mystery Transmission: A Taoist Ordination Rite of A.d. 711
May 17, 2019 · D., it found that practice not to its liking and abandoned it along with the cutting of hair. It substituted pledges as guarantees of vows.
[52]
2.8: Jainism - Humanities LibreTexts
Mar 8, 2024 · Ahimsa: Ahimsa means nonviolence or non-injury. The first major vow taken by Jains is to love and cause no harm to other living beings. It ...
[53]
promissory estoppel | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
Promissory estoppel allows a promisee to recover damages when they reasonably and detrimentally relied on a promise, and the promisor could have reasonably ...
[54]
What is Promissory Estoppel? Key Requirements and Examples
Promissory estoppel is a legal principle where a promise can be enforced if the promisee relies on it and suffers harm, even without formal consideration.
[55]
Stipulatio | Roman Law, Contract Law, Obligations - Britannica
Oct 27, 2025 · The stipulator asked, “Spondes?” (“Do you promise?”) and the promisor answered, “Spondeo” (“I promise”). The form could be used only by ...
[56]
II Stipulation: A Formal Contract - Oxford Academic
Stipulation, a formal oral contract by which a promissor unilaterally assents to a promise to give something to or do something for a promisee, is examined in ...Missing: vows | Show results with:vows
[57]
Are Wedding Vows Legally Binding? | Claery & Hammond, LLP
Jun 4, 2021 · Wedding vows are not legally binding, although they may have cultural or spiritual significance to the couple.
[58]
Marriage, Vows, and Divorce - A Cry For Justice
Jan 11, 2012 · The vows are the means by which husband and wife enter into this contract (see Proverbs 2:17; Malachi 2:14). Each one of them states the terms, the blessings ...
[59]
[PDF] Should Mission Statements Be Promises? - Harvard Kennedy School
This paper explores how mission statements might become a resource for improving nonprofit governance and accountability. The author asks what legal duty – or ...
[60]
Is it permissible to recant a vow or oath? - Islam Question & Answer
Sep 1, 2022 · If a person swears an oath and wants to recant, that is permissible if recanting does not involve doing something that is prohibited, but he must offer ...
[61]
Understanding Sharia: The Intersection of Islam and the Law
Dec 17, 2021 · Sharia guides the personal religious practices of Muslims worldwide, but whether it should influence modern legal systems remains a subject of intense debate.
[62]
[PDF] The Sword and the Scroll: Judicial Enforcement of Religious Contracts
Jan 26, 2023 · The second type is a contract that calls for performance of a secular act but phrases the terms and definitions in religious language. This type ...
[63]
Ecclesiastes 5:4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in ...
Delaying a vow could lead to spiritual consequences, as it might suggest that the vow was made rashly or without genuine intent. The term "fools" in biblical ...
[64]
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes Chapter 5
It would be better not to vow than to vow and not pay. i. “God does not take broken vows lightly. A broken vow may incur his judgment upon our endeavours.
[65]
“What You Vow, Pay”—Ecclesiastes 5:4 | Study - JW.ORG
Breaking one's marriage vow is equivalent to lying to God, and God hates liars! (Lev. 19:12; Prov. 6:16-19) The apostle Paul wrote: “Are you bound to a wife?
[66]
Karma and Rebirth -How Actions Shape Destiny and the Cycle of ...
May 19, 2025 · This article provides an exhaustive analysis of the doctrinal evolution, scriptural basis, ethical implications, and soteriological dimensions of Karma and ...
[67]
Karma and redemption: A religious approach to family violence
Karma holds the truth that actions bear consequences, whereas redemption suggests that the evil consequences can be altered for good.<|separator|>
[68]
Love and Infidelity: Causes and Consequences - PMC
This includes reports of developing lower self-esteem, self-confidence, a lack of trust in others and a strong fear of abandonment in future romantic ...
[69]
Is Your Marriage Doomed After an Affair? | Psychology Today
Feb 1, 2022 · Men are less likely than women to divorce when there is an affair: 61% of men who cheated are still married, while 34% are separated or divorced ...
[70]
[PDF] Oath-taking and Oath-breaking in Medieval lceland and Anglo ...
the oath, pledge, and promise should have little distinction because the truth should function in absolute terms – “if the statement is true, then the ...
[71]
Reactions to perceived broken promises lead to workplace stress for ...
Oct 5, 2020 · Their results showed that psychological contract violation (PCV) correlated with feelings of depression, anxiety and stress. The team also ...
[72]
(PDF) An event‐based approach to psychological contracts
May 31, 2025 · Effects of attributions and negative emotions in response to experiencing a broken promise. Note: N = 192 days with a negative psychological ...
[73]
The Effects of Cognitive Dissonance on Romantic Relationships
Jun 6, 2024 · Cognitive dissonance can play a particularly insidious role, affecting communication, trust, conflict resolution, and overall relationship satisfaction.Missing: promises 2020-2025
[74]
Code of Canon Law - Function of the Church (Cann. 1191-1204)
Can. 1196 In addition to the Roman Pontiff, the following can dispense from private vows for a just cause provided that a dispensation does not injure a right ...
[75]
Further Reading: Romeo and Juliet | Folger Shakespeare Library
Stone's massive study sheds interesting light on Romeo and Juliet's depiction of the feud and of the marriage of the title characters in a patriarchal society. ...Missing: portrayal | Show results with:portrayal<|separator|>
[76]
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362025899_An_event-based_approach_to_psychological_contracts_The_importance_of_examining_everyday_broken_and_fulfilled_promises_as_discrete_events
[77]
Loyalty, Honor, and Chivalry Theme in The Song of Roland | LitCharts
Jan 17, 2020 · Get everything you need to know about Loyalty, Honor, and Chivalry in The Song of Roland. Analysis, related quotes, theme tracking.<|separator|>
[78]
[PDF] Does Movie Viewing Cultivate Unrealistic Expectations about Love ...
May 1, 2013 · An analysis by Johnson (2007) centered on portrayals of sex, love, and romance in popular wedding films such as American Wedding, The Wedding ...
[79]
'Game of Thrones' review: “Oathkeeper” and broken vows
Apr 27, 2014 · This post discusses the events of “Breaker of Chains,” and some elements of book three, “Storm of Swords.”Missing: breaking oaths consequences literary analysis<|separator|>
[80]
[PDF] Vows and Violence in the Medieval and Early Modern Chivalric
Studying medieval literature, in chapter 1, I discuss how the complexity of vows and their susceptibility to failure is dramatized in Guillaume de Lorris's and.
[81]
The Changing Landscape of Love and Marriage - PMC - NIH
Changes include higher divorce rates, later marriage ages, more unmarried parents, and a shift from traditional marriage to "confluent love" and "pure ...
[82]
Hannibal—facts and information | National Geographic
Mar 4, 2019 · According to Roman historians, Barca required the young Hannibal to swear a blood oath of eternal hostility toward the Romans. To restore its ...Missing: vow | Show results with:vow
[83]
Oaths of the ancient Greek hoplite warriors - The Archaeologist
Mar 4, 2023 · These oaths were meant to instill a sense of duty, loyalty, and courage in the hoplites, and to bind them together as a cohesive fighting force.
[84]
(PDF) The Crusading Vow before and during the First Crusade
This article examines the history of vows up to the First Crusade, examining the history of how Roman law and politics had an element of vows to the Roman ...
[85]
Gandhi, Non-Violence and Indian Independence | History Today
Gandhi, Non-Violence and Indian Independence. The legend of Mahatma Gandhi places his non-violent Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India ...Missing: vow | Show results with:vow

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