What does the ancient "Three Books and Six Rites" mean?

Three Books and Six Rites are the traditional marriage etiquette in China.

1, "Three Books" is an instrument used in the marriage process, which refers to:

Letter of appointment: namely letter of appointment. When Naji (a man and a woman are engaged), the man's family gives the book to the woman's family.

Gift book: a document used for the ceremony, which lists the items and quantities of the ceremony.

Wedding book: that is, the document to marry the bride. It is the certificate that the man gave to the woman when he came in to greet the bride.

2. "Six Rites" are six kinds of etiquette in the process of marriage, which refer to:

Nacai: that is, the man's family asked the matchmaker to propose marriage to the woman's family, and the woman's family promised to propose marriage, and the man's family prepared gifts to propose marriage.

Ask the name: The man's family asked the matchmaker to ask the woman's name and date of birth.

Naji: That is, after the man retrieved the woman's name and eight characters, he performed divination in the ancestral hall. After getting a good omen, he prepared a gift to inform the woman's family and decided to get married.

Sign: also known as Nabi, that is, the man's family gives the woman's family as a dowry.

Date of invitation: The man's family chooses the wedding date, and prepares gifts to inform the woman's family for approval.

Kissing: that is, the groom gets married at the woman's house.

Extended data:

The wedding process in ancient times is a little different from that in modern times. Modern marriage process generally refers to the etiquette held on the wedding day, and the marriage process of three books and six rituals includes documents and etiquette from marriage talk, engagement to marriage.

Similar to modern times, the whole traditional marriage customs and etiquette are informed to relatives and neighbors in order to gain social recognition and protection. In addition, traditional marriage customs and etiquette enable married couples to gain the recognition of their ancestors and promise to fulfill their rights and obligations to their parents and relatives.

Therefore, in some ancient times, marriage would not be recognized as married unless men and women completed the process of three books and six rituals; Whether the wedding ceremony is complete directly affects the auspiciousness of marriage. However, in different dynasties in China, wedding customs and etiquette are also different.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Three Books and Six Gifts