Home >> China Gudie >> China Culture Guide >> More Information >> Full Text

Chinese Traditional Marriage Rituals

ese
放大图片 放大图片
Chinese marriage became a custom between 402-221 B.C. Despite China's long history and many different geographical areas, there are basically six rituals: proposal, birthday matching, bride price (betrothal gifts), presenting wedding gifts, picking the wedding day and the wedding ceremony.
The final ritual is the actual wedding ceremony where bride and groom become a married couple, which is consisted of many elaborate parts: wedding procession, welcoming the bride, actual wedding ceremonies and wedding banquet. In Chinese society, the wedding banquet is known as xǐ-jǐu (literally joyful wine), and is far more important than the wedding itself. There are ceremonies such as bride presenting wines or tea to parents, spouse, and guests.
Before modern times, women were not allowed to choose the person they married. Instead, the family of the bride picked the prospective husband. Marriages were chosen based upon the needs of reproduction and honor, as well as the needs of the father and husband.