Learning about different cultures and traditions expands
your view of the world. I wanted to know more about the Chinese traditions that
still go on today, and not just the history. My older sister recently got married and
that helped me to be curious about different wedding traditions.
The Chinese choose a spouse with the help of their parents
and a matchmaker. After they found their partner, the engagement consists of various
proposal gifts that represent fertility and prosperity.
On the wedding day, both the bride and the groom wear red
because it foreshadows delight. The two families perform a hair dressing ritual
where an old woman would tie up the bride’s hair with colorful cotton threads.
For the Chinese, its traditional to wear red on your wedding day
When the party arrives, the bride, covered with a red
head-kerchief, must cry to show her reluctance to leave home. Meanwhile the
groom would have to meet a series of challenges intentionally put it his path
before he could see his wife-to-be.
The bride and groom with then leave to attend a tea ceremony
with the groom’s parents. The wedding ceremony will end with a feast which
features traditional Chinese wedding food.
The bride and groom travel in sedans
On the night of the wedding, the new couple will drink wine from
two cups tied together with a red string. This is the formal wedding vow in Chinese
culture. (Lauren Mack)
These customs have been maintained for thousands of years. The
Chinese traditions are much more elaborate than many other cultures. The tasks
are much more specific and detailed.
I love how the same concept can be translated into many different ways. The wedding pictures from any two different people are vastly different and that may not even include their culture and traditions. Its easy to appreciate different cultures for their uniqueness and originality. Learning about China is a great way to realize how deep the world's history runs. Everyone has their own ideas and they have had those ideas for thousands of years. The ideas still find their way into our modern lives.
Citations:
"Ancient
Chinese Marriage Customs, Traditional Wedding Ceremony, Groom &
Bride." Ancient Chinese Marriage Customs, Traditional Wedding
Ceremony, Groom & Bride. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2014.
"Chinese
Wedding Culture, Customs & Tradition." Chinese Wedding
Culture, Customs & Tradition. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2014.
