Chinese Weddings Sarah Tkach And Sofia Kistler

Planning a wedding. Groom’s parents give gifts to bride’s family Choose wedding date according to Lunar calendar They marry on the half an hour not at the top of the hour The day must be a lucky day The families send out double happiness cakes to tell everyone their child is getting married

The Betrothal A formal meeting between the parents Dragon and Phoenix cakes Engagement tokens This day means the bride and groom to be are officially engaged

The day before the Wedding The bride is secluded from everyone The bride sleeps in the “cock loft” the night before the wedding They install the bride’s new bed The bed is scattered with red dates, oranges, lotus seeds, peanuts, pomegranates, and other fruit

The wedding day The bride is bathed in order to cleanse her of evil influences A “good luck” women comes to the house The women dresses the bride’s hair The bride is carried to a back room and is dressed by all her closet friends After she is dressed she goes to met her parents and wait for the bridal precession

Clothing The bride wears a donned jacket and skirt along with red shoes and her face is covered in a red veil The groom wears a DaGua or a black silk coat over a blue robe with red shoes and a red silk slash

Flowers They can include peonies, orchids, lotus and daffodils. Peonies and daffodils symbolize spring and renewal. Orchids symbolize love and fertility. Lotus symbolizes the four virtues: scent, purity, softness and loveliness.

Procession from Groom’s house Firecrackers and loud drums start the procession to go get the bride Groom is met by bride’s friends and they won’t give her up until they are satisfied with the money packets

Bride’s journey to Groom’s house The “good luck” women and friends look after the Bride She is carried in a chair to the groom’s house Firecrackers are set off to scare away evil spirits

Nuptial Chamber They are sent here immediately after the ceremony They are given wine and honey to drink The chamber is open to visitors for up to three days The people usually come to visit and tease the new couple

Dragon and Phoenix They symbolize harmony and portend a balanced relationship The two symbols are rooted in Chinese myths where the dragon stands for the Emperor. The Phoenix, with its magical powers and life- giving song, stands at his side.

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