Archive for category Wedding Traditions
Ancient Chinese Wedding Custom – The Wedding
Posted by sharon in Wedding Traditions on February 4th, 2010
Compared with the complicated preparations, the wedding ceremony was quite simple. The newlyweds were conducted to the family altar, where they had to kneel three times. First, they would kneel to the heaven and the earth, then to the ancestral tablets and their parents and at last they would kneel to each other. This official ritual was equal to the wedding vow in western wedding.
In some regions, the bride and the groom would be conducted to their bridal chamber. However, in some regions, the bride would present tea to the groom’s parents and relatives in sequence of seniority. The newlyweds would receive money which was wrapped in red envelopes from people who received the tea.
Ancient Chinese Wedding Custom – Arriving at the Groom’s House
Posted by sharon in Wedding Traditions on November 3rd, 2009
A good luck woman, who was employed by the bride’s family, would look after the bride carefully during the journey to the groom’s house. Firecrackers, which were used to frighten away evil spirits, would be set off just before the procession arrived. There, the groom’s entire household was waiting to receive the bride. A red mat was prepared and placed before the sedan chair for the bride so that her feet would not touch the bare earth.
As ancient Chinese believed that the fire would cast out of evil things, the bride had to step over a lit stove to cross the threshold. It was believed that by doing that, the bride could keep away from all the evil things and enjoy a happy life in the future.
Ancient Chinese Wedding Custom – Obtaining the Bride
Posted by sharon in Wedding Traditions on September 22nd, 2009
Firecrackers, loud gongs and drums meant the start of the procession from the groom’s home to the bride’s home. It was believed that doing this could ward off evil spirits. Accompany with a child (as an omen of his future sons), the groom would lead the procession. The bridal sedan chair, attendants, musicians, and sometimes a dancing lion would follow him.
When the groom arrived at the bride’s home, they would meet the bride’s friends first. The bridesmaids would play door game with the groom and his attendants. They would ask the groom’s party to perform stunts until they are satisfied with the red packets of money the groom had given.
In some regions, the groom would receive a pair of chopsticks and two wine goblets wrapped in red paper from the bride’s family, symbolizing his receiving the joy of the family in the person of their daughter.
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