中国传统婚礼Chinesetraditionalweddingwetalkabout:customsweddingprocessclothesandfoodCustomsImportanceBriefintroductionSomecustomsImportanceTraditionalChineseweddinglaysemphasisontheharmonyofheaven,earthandhuman,andpeople’smentality(心态)ofbeggingforgoodfortune.InancientChina,marriageisofgreatsignificancebothtofamiliesandtosocietyaswellasbeingfundamentaltothecultivation(培养)ofvirtue(美德).BriefIntroductionChinesemarriagecameintobeingacustombetween402-221BC.DespiteChina’slonghistoryandagreatmanyofdifferentgeographicalareas,therearebasicallysixrituals(老规矩),generallyknownasthethreelettersandsixetiquette(三书六礼).ThreeLetters(三书)Themarriageisderivedfromaseriesofthreeletters.LetterofRequest(聘书):Itisfromthegroom'sfamilytothebride'sfamily,andformallyrequestsamarriage.LetterofGift(礼书):Itaccompaniesthegiftsofthegroom'sfamilytothebride'sfamilyshortlybeforethewedding.LetterofWedding(迎亲书):Itisgivenonthedayofthewedding,officiallyacceptingthebrideintothegroom'sfamily.SixEtiquette(六礼)Proposal(纳彩)Birthdates(问名)Brideprice(Betrothalgifts)(纳吉)Weddinggifts(纳征)Arrangingthewedding(请期)Weddingceremony(亲迎)Proposal(纳彩)Whenanunmarriedboy'sparentsfindapotentialdaughter-in-law,theythenlocatedamatchmaker(媒人)whosejobwastoassuage(缓和)theconflictofinterestsandgeneralembarrassmentsonthepartoftwofamilies.Birthdates(问名)Ifthepotentialdaughter-in-law‘sfamilydidnotobjecttotheproposal,thematchmakerwouldthencomparethecouples’birthdates.IfaccordingtoChineseastrology(占星术)thecoupleiscompatible(相处和睦的),theywouldthenproceedtothenextstep.Brideprice(Betrothalgifts)(纳吉)Atthispointthebridegroom'sfamilyarrangesforthematchmakertopresentbrideprice(betrothal订婚gifts),includingthebetrothalletter,tothebride'sfamily.Weddinggifts(纳征)Thegroom‘sfamilywillthensendanelaborate(详细的)arrayoffood,cakes,andreligiousitemstothebride'sfamily.Arrangingthewedding(请期)Thetwofamilieswillarrangeaweddingdaywhichwillbringthemostlucktothecouple,againbasedontheChinesecalendar(老黄历)mythology.WeddingCeremony(亲迎)Thefinalritualistheactualweddingceremonywherebrideandgroombecomeamarriedcouple,whichconsistsofmanyelaborateparts.男以昏时迎女,女因男而来2、六礼:是指由求亲到媒到迎娶,完婚的手续。“纳采”——俗称说媒,即男方家请媒人去女方家提亲,女方家答应议婚后,男方家备礼前去求婚。“问名”——俗称合八字,托媒人请问女方出生年月日和姓名。“纳吉”——即男方家卜得吉兆后,备礼通知女方家,婚事初步议定“。纳征”——又称过大礼,男方选定吉日到女方家举行订婚大礼。“请期”——择吉日完婚,旧时选择吉日一般多为双月双日,不喜选三,六,十一月,三有散音,不选六是因为不想新人只有半世姻缘,十一月隐含不尽之意。“亲迎”——婚礼当天,男方带迎书亲自到女方家迎娶新娘。SomeCustomsInstallingBeds(安床)Afterdecidingtheauspicious(吉祥的)dayandbeforethewedding,aso-called‘foreverluckyman’wasselectedtoplacethebedataproperlocation.Afterthat,anoldwomanwhohasmanychildrenandgrandchildrenwouldgoaheadtoputsomeluckyfoodonit.Childrenwereallowedtoplayonthepreparedbed,astheywereseenasapredictofhavingbabiesandwealth.ShangTou(上头)Itisaverydainty(讲究的)ceremony.Agirlneedstochangeherhairstyle,brushherface,andpainthereyebrowtoshowthatsheiswaitingtogetmarriedandtobeagoodwife.LuckyGrandma(好命婆)willhelpherwithhermaking-up,sayinganoldproverb,thatis“一梳梳到尾,二梳白发齐眉,三梳儿孙满地,四梳四条银笋尽标齐。”weddingprocessChinaisalargecountrywith56nationalities.Differentnationalitieshavedifferentmarriagecustoms,butwhateverthenationalityis,theweddingceremonyisusuallyverycomplicated.迎亲的行列musicandfirecrackers.cryingmarriage(哭嫁)thebride,coveredbyaredheadkerchief,crywithhermotherBaiTang(拜堂)“OnebowstoHeavenandEarth,Twopaysavisittoparents,Husbandandwifebendsdownfacetoface,Besentinabridalchamber!”Interestingenough,baitangdoesn’tbelongtoSixEtiquette.ButitbecamequitepopularduringSongdynastyandhasbeenoneessentialpartofourtraditionalweddingeversince.WhiletherewerefewoccasionsinancientChinathatmanandwomancouldenjoyanequaltreatment,thiswastheonetosomeextent.跪拜礼习俗新人向父母奉茶跪拜,父母祝贺新人,並给新人利是、首饰。offeracupoftea新人向其他长辈及亲戚奉茶。thejewelryLuckymoneyThegroom'sfamilywillthengiveabanquetforthefriendsandrelativestocelebratethewedding.weddingbanquetluckycandywinedrunkataweddingfeastGotothebridalchamber(入洞房)Teasingthenewcouple(闹洞房)宾客捣蛋stiruptheredveil掀盖头Arm-crossedtoastThebrideandbridegroomaresupposedtohandoveracupofwineeachotheranddrinkitoff.交杯酒ChineseWeddingCustoms【food】Chinesedate枣peanut花生longan桂圆chestnut栗子earlybirthofahealthybaby早生贵子clothesweddingfulldressAChapletandOfficialRobe(凤冠霞帔)Somepatternssuchasmandarinduck(鸳鸯),plumblossom(梅花),lotus(莲花)aremadeonthedelicateredembroideredshoesasamoraloflucky.TheEmbroideredShoes(绣花鞋)Thankyou!