Chinese weddings can be divided into three stages: the ceremony is simply the "engagement" ceremony, the "marriage" ceremony, and the "wifemaking" ceremony. In traditional Chinese wedding customs, before marriage Etiquette and the main wedding ceremony are the main procedures. These are all derived from the Six Rites of Zhou Gong.
However, the customs of different places and the traditions of each family are somewhat different. It is recommended that the newlyweds still rely on the opinions of the elders in the family. Let’s take a look at the ritual procedures of traditional Chinese weddings.
1. Ancestor Worship
Before the man goes out to marry the bride, he first worships the gods and ancestors at home to pray for a safe and smooth marriage. The groom’s family usually also arranges the bed the day before the wedding. After the ceremony, the little boy among relatives and friends will be invited to roll over on the new bed and pray that the couple will have a baby soon.
via: SongziVision
Things to note about traditional customs:
1. Setting up the bed: The day before the wedding, the groom’s family will worship heaven and earth and inform their ancestors about the future. The wedding will be held, and the position of the new bed will be arranged according to the horoscopes of both men and women to worship the bed mother.
2. Turning over the bed: After setting up the bed in the new house, you can ask a little boy among relatives and friends (the best one is Dragon) to roll over on the bed. Finally, sprinkle various happy fruits on the quilt, such as peanuts, red dates, longans, lotus seeds, etc.
2. Set off for the wedding
The wedding fleet and number of people should be an even number, but avoid 4 vehicles and use a multiple of 6 as the best number. The first car serves as the lead car, and the bridal car is usually arranged in the second car. The decoration of the wedding car is different to inform passers-by that it is the bride's convoy and to help identify the convoy while driving.
Traditional customs require traditional customs. Key points:
1. The bridal car cannot be included in the fourth part.
2. If the wedding convoy encounters a bridge or another wedding convoy, it will fire cannons to notify the convoy that there is a bridge in front of it and to inform other convoys.
3. Flower Night
It is held the night before the bride gets married. The bride eats with her parents, brothers and sisters to say goodbye and bless her.
Things to note about traditional customs:
1. The number of participants is an odd number, plus the bride to make up an even number.
2. The sisters’ table has 6 to 12 dishes, preferably dishes with auspicious meanings.
3. When the bride is having a meal, the lucky elders in the family will bring vegetables to the bride and say auspicious words.
4. Combing her hair
When the bride is dressing up, she will ask a lucky elder to comb her hair. The meaning is similar to that of laying a bed.
Blessings for combing your hair: If you comb your hair with one comb, you will not have to worry about wealth; if you comb your hair with two combs, you will be free from illness and worry; if you comb your hair with three combs, you will have many children and a long life; if you comb your hair with another comb, you will have a good case. Eyebrows together again... (Many people now omit this link)
5. Fire the cannon
When you arrive at about 100 meters in front of the bride’s house, the leading vehicle will fire a cannon to notify the woman that she is about to arrive. , the woman’s family will also light firecrackers in response and prepare to welcome the man’s motorcade. (However, it is forbidden to fire cannons in urban areas. Nowadays, many people use ribbon-throwing games)
6. Flirting / Picking up relatives
The traditional fawning is what everyone calls the kissing game now. The groom and the best man go to pick up the bride with bouquets of flowers. At this time, the bride's sisters and female friends have to stop the groom. Only after passing the test can the groom see the bride.
7. Serve tea
The groom and the bride offer incense to worship their ancestors. The newlyweds must offer tea to their parents to express their gratitude for their upbringing.
Things to note about traditional customs:
1. The bride bows to her parents to say goodbye, and the groom can bow.
2. Please remember that the girl’s parents should give instructions to the new couple on how to get along with each other in the future.
8. The bride gets into the ceremonial car
The bride is led by the lucky woman, and her head is covered with a bamboo screen or an umbrella to protect the bride into the car. (Nowadays, family members or the groom are usually carried directly into the car)
Things to note about traditional customs:
1. The bride remembers to be careful not to step on the threshold when going out. The threshold of the door represents the face of the family, and stepping on the threshold is disrespectful to the elders.
2. Regarding the use of umbrellas, the main meaning is "opening branches and spreading leaves".
9. Fire cannons
The lead vehicle fires cannons in preparation for departure, and the woman’s family fires cannons at the same time to show good luck and avoid evil. The departure and return journeys will go in different directions, symbolizing no turning back. (Salutes are not allowed in the same city and instead are sprinkled with ribbons)
10. Pay homage to the sedan chair/welcome the bride
When the limo arrives at the groom’s house, the boy from the groom’s family will hold two cannons. Oranges (or apples) open the car door. The bride should touch the oranges (or apples) before getting out of the car and give the boy a red envelope.