A Journey Through Сhinese Marriage Traditions
The lavish $29 million Chinese wedding rocked the local wedding market in 2024. But you don’t have to go broke to host a traditional ceremony and banquet. Incorporating even a few traditional Chinese elements into a small reception will go a long way to help your bride feel welcome. So let’s go over common Chinese traditions marriage can benefit from and see if any catch your eye to use in your wedding.
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Historical background of Chinese marriage traditions
Weddings were always an important part of Chinese culture. It was a way to combine power and gain influence, showcase prosperity, and ensure the continuation of the bloodline. Fertility was at the core of the Chinese marriage custom, as brides were expected to produce heirs as soon as possible. At the same time, wedding traditions reflected the Chinese mentality, from its pragmatism to respect for the elders.
Symbolic rituals of Chinese wedding
Like most cultures, China has lots of wedding traditions and superstitions. We won’t go into tiny details, like the use of shuāngxǐ, the double happiness symbol. Instead, let’s focus on the most prominent parts of the wedding day:
- Hair combing. The bride’s mother combs her hair on the morning before the wedding, and so does the groom’s. It’s a sign of parental care and an attempt to make their children look their best. It can also signify mothers letting go of their kids who enter a new life together.
- Gate crashing. Just like dowry, gate crashing is a reflection of ancient marriage rites. The groom’s party is supposed to overcome the challenges the bride’s party creates before they can meet the bride and take her to the ceremony.
- Tea ceremony. After the ceremony, the newlyweds serve tea to their parents in a traditional ceremony. It’s meant as a sign of respect and gratitude before the couple moves on to start their new family.
- Wedding banquet. It’s a lavish ten-course meal, and each of the dishes served can have a meaning. For example, rice balls are a symbol of a long and happy union, while sweet lotus seeds symbolize wishes to have many children.
Other wedding traditions include using the red umbrella to protect the bride from the sun. It is supposed to induce fertility. And tossing the fan before entering the groom’s house is a sign of a woman letting go of her bad temper and preparing to become a good wife.
Influence of Western culture on Chinese wedding customs
In an increasingly globalized world, it’s no wonder Chinese marriage culture has adopted a few Western traditions. You can often see the following at modern Chinese weddings:
- White wedding dress instead of the red one. Historically, black and white clothes were reserved for funerals in China, but Western culture encouraged Chinese brides to try on white dresses. Many have two dresses for the ceremony and reception: traditional red and white.
- Gift registry instead of red envelopes. Typically, Chinese guests give money to the newlyweds (hong bao), but younger generations now also accept gifts from the registry, like in the West.
- Honeymoon instead of the matrimonial bed. Au Chuang has fallen out of practice. Few newlyweds expect the wedding party to accompany them into the bedroom. Instead, most couples prefer to book honeymoon suites or leave for honeymoon after the wedding.
Thousands of other tiny things from the West can sneak into the Chinese wedding ceremony, from the three-tier cake to American and European hits.
Cross-cultural marriages
It’s no wonder Western traditions are slowly making their way into China, considering the Chinese marriage facts. Since the turn of the century, the number of marriages with non-Chinese citizens has remained over 40 million annually. The pandemic caused a significant slump, as there were only 16 million marriages with non-Chinese partners in 2022. Still, Asian brides continue to adopt Western traditions and spend more than ever on the wedding ceremony and reception.
Final thoughts
Although some Chinese wedding customs (like hair combing and gate crashing) may seem strange to foreigners, others easily blend with Western-style ceremonies. In fact, as millions of international couples get married every year, the cultural borders tend to blur. But if your dreams of a happily married life are lacking the bride, Chinese dating sites are a good starting point to find your one true love.
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