Posts Tagged wedding custom
Ancient Chinese Wedding Custom – Post-wedding Ritual
Posted by sharon in Wedding Traditions on July 20, 2010
The day following the wedding ceremony, the bride would serve tea to the groom’s family. At that time, she would be formally introduced to all the members of the groom’s family. She would serve tea in order, starting from the groom’s parents then proceeding from the oldest family members to the youngest ones. Lucky red envelopes which were filled with money or jewelry would be given to her after the tea was offered and a sip was taken.
Three days after the wedding ceremony, the couple would pay a visit to the bride’s family. At that time, the bride would not be considered a member of her original family any longer, instead, she would be received as a guest for her parents.
Ancient Chinese Wedding Custom – The Wedding
Posted by sharon in Wedding Traditions on February 4, 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 – Obtaining the Bride
Posted by sharon in Wedding Traditions on September 22, 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.
