Wedding process in the Republic of China: a real shot of a rich family wedding

Engagement letter: a letter from a man and a woman formally concluding an engagement. When Najib (Guo) is used.

Gift book: Gift book, that is, gift list, lists the types and quantities of gifts in detail. Use it when receiving gifts.

Marriage book: a book for marrying a bride. For picking up the bride on the wedding day.

Nacai: In ancient times, the first wedding ceremony was to invite a matchmaker to make a marriage. This is called Nacai. Now it's called Nacai. Propose .

Asking the name: When the man asks the woman's name and date of birth, he uses 1 and auspicious signs to call it asking the name. Now it is called. Horoscope? .

Najib: If the name is auspicious, then send a matchmaker to send a small gift called Najib. What is it now? Where is Guo? Or? Xiaoding? .

Levy: Give gifts, cakes, gifts and sacrifices. , is the formal bride price, this is called a levy, now called? A gift? .

Invitation: the man asks the fortune teller to choose the date, which is called invitation, also known as? Begging for sunshine? , today? Choose a day? .

Kissing: The groom takes a limousine to the bride's house to pick her up. This is called kissing.

Bedding: Choose a good day. A few days before the wedding, the lucky guy will move the new bed to the right place. Then, before the wedding, live a good life.

Grandma is responsible for making the bed, putting mattresses, sheets, dragons and phoenixes on the bed, and sprinkling all kinds of happy fruits, such as red dates, longan, dried litchi and red mung beans.

And red envelopes. After the bed is installed, no one is allowed to enter the new house and touch the new bed before the newlyweds enter the room.

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Second, the bride's dress

Color: China people can't get away from a big red wedding, and they are used to using bright colors to set off the atmosphere. Therefore, the color of women's wedding dresses in the past dynasties is big red, which has become customized to show celebration, set off new people and indicate prosperity and happiness in the future.

Style: The bride's dress is a wide-sleeved double-breasted dress with a beaded crest on her head. It is worth noting that Zhai Yi's model is very special. Duijin itself has a complete sense of symmetry. In China culture, it represents the meaning of symmetry and beauty. On the other hand, the symmetrical golden pheasant pattern on it symbolizes the beauty and harmony of husband and wife's life in China traditional culture.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the traditional wedding dresses in China were robes, mandarin jackets and robes with crowns. The official dress of the Empress Dowager of the Qing Dynasty is a symbol of power and status, which is beyond the reach of ordinary people. Because it is covered with brilliant jewels, it is extremely graceful and gorgeous, expressing the people's admiration for dignitaries, and it has gradually evolved into a wedding dress for giants. Generally, when a daughter gets married, she can only wear a big red dress, add a red hijab and embroidered shoes and carry it into her husband's house in a red sedan chair. Pay attention to one? Red? Words.

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Headdress: The bride usually wears a bun on the wedding day, which is different from unmarried women.

Red headgear: The bride wears a red headgear on the wedding day, symbolizing virginity, youth and purity. After the wedding, the groom personally unveiled it.

The bride should cover it with a red scarf before getting on the sedan chair, and can't take it off in the sedan chair. This is the barrier surface, also known as the hijab. After the man enters the bridal chamber, it can only be opened by the groom or the female relatives of the man's family, so that the congratulations can see the bride's elegant demeanor. This is the so-called hijab.

Bangudu

When a woman wants to get married, she usually invites a respected old woman to spread millet and beans with a dustpan in her hand, and some places scatter grass. Before the bride gets on the sedan chair, it should be broadcast inside and outside. When the sedan chair arrives at the door of the man's house, the bride should also plant seeds before getting off the sedan chair. It's called spreading corn beans. When the bride and groom enter the bridal chamber, the woman and the man sit on the new bed on their left and right, and the man's house will also sprinkle five grains of beans and coins again. This is called spreading the bill. One is that cereal beans can ward off evil spirits, and the other is to use plant seeds as a metaphor to wish the bride an early birth. This folk custom existed in the Han Dynasty. In other places, peanuts and red dates are sprinkled, which means giving birth early, and boys and girls should spend their lives together.

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Pick up the bride (in a sedan chair) for the wedding.

When they are about to get married, both men and women will kill pigs and sheep, and prepare to invite cooks, bridesmaids, bearers and other handyman. After applying, these people should start working in the main room the day before the wedding to prepare for the wedding reception. The traditional wedding is usually that the woman's family prepares to get married in the morning and the man's family holds a wedding reception at noon; If it is annoying, it is just the opposite. When everything was ready, Yanari, a man, played music with a cannon and sent a sedan chair to greet the bride. The matchmaker took the lead, followed by the groom, bridesmaid, sedan chair, band and gift box team. The bride's family should prepare the wedding reception before the sedan chair comes. A girl should be combed by her mother or sister, and the fluff on her face should be unscrewed with silk thread, and then make up. What do you mean? Open your face? Then cover it with red cloth and wait for the bride to get on the sedan chair. When the sedan chair arrived at the woman's house, it was greeted by firecrackers and music. After the wedding procession entered the women's hall, the sedan chair landed, and the groom bowed down to his parents-in-law and presented a red wedding invitation with his father's name on it. Then there was an interesting party at the woman's house. When eating, the matchmaker and the groom should be careful, because there is an unwritten custom in China. During the three days of their wedding, peers and teenagers among relatives and friends can creatively make up a few small comedies to play tricks on the matchmaker or groom. What is this called? Media washing? And then what? Hang red? Commonly known as He xinke? . The matchmaker and groom should be tolerant of these little farce that can increase the happy atmosphere, and might as well take some revenge, but don't really get angry.

After breakfast, the bride and groom will bow to the ancestors and elders of the bride under the guidance of the matchmaker, and then the bridesmaid can help the bride get into the sedan chair. Before getting on the sedan chair, the bride usually marries in tears to show her attachment to her parents and family. After the bride got on the sedan chair, she played music and set off firecrackers, and got off the sedan chair and blew a kiss. The band is in front, and the groom is behind. If possible, he is willing to ride a horse, and then the sedan chair and others will see the bride off.

Marriage takes another road, so sometimes we have to go around the road. Not going back? . If you encounter temples, wells, shrines, graves, big stones, trees, etc. On the way, you should cover the wedding sedan chair to avoid evil spirits. If there is another wedding, the bearers should try their best to make the sedan chair rise and fall smoothly. In some areas, both the groom and groom need to change their corsage. If there is a funeral, you should say:? Today is lucky, I met my baby! ? When the wedding procession is about to arrive at the groom's door, the man's house will greet it with firecrackers and music. The sedan chair stopped in front of the groom's main hall. The bridesmaids invited by the man's family are generally young and beautiful women. They must lift the curtain of the sedan chair and help the bride get off. The bridesmaids came forward to pay their respects. Guests sprinkle flowers on the bride and groom, usually replacing them with red and yellow pieces of paper, which will push the wedding to a climax.

Baitang

After the man married the bride, he began to decorate a memorial place in the man's room. When the sedan chair stopped in front of the main hall, the maid of honor invited by the man stood in front of the sedan chair and the ceremony began. The incense table is filled with cigarettes, and the red candle has a high fever. Friends and relatives, functional personnel in their positions. What are the best men? Like? And then what? Tong Zan? The identity of the appearance, began to praise. After receiving compliments and compliments, the bride and groom began to worship the bride. The traditional procedure of worship ceremony is as follows:

Zan: The groom is standing in front of the sedan chair.

Tong Zan: Start the sedan chair and get up.

Praise: The groom bowed and invited the bride.

Praise: The bride and groom walked to the front of the drawing room.

Zan: The bride and groom are in position in front of the incense table. Play music and shoot.

Tong Zan: The bride and groom put incense in shrines and ancestral tablets.

Zan: kneel down and offer incense. Light candles, burn incense, burn incense, store, wake up and reset.

Tong Zan: Kneel down, kowtow, kowtow again, kowtow three times?

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What about the traditional three worships? One worships heaven and earth, the other worships parents, the husband and wife worship each other, and finally introduces the bridal chamber. This is the end of the ceremony. The ceremony of picking up the bride has the following steps:

The wedding has begun.

(2) The bride and groom and the guests are seated.

(3) present flowers to the bride and groom.

(4) shoot and play music.

(5) The witness read the marriage certificate.

(6) The officiating person delivered a speech.

(7) Presenter's speech.

(8) guest speeches.

(9) The bride and groom bow three times to the officiating guests, witnesses, introducers and guests.

The bride and groom bow to each other.

(1 1) The bride and groom exchange gifts.

(12) The bride and groom love each other.

(13) Bride and groom show.

(14) The bride and groom enter the bridal chamber.

(15) guests opened the table.

wedding feast

According to the traditional customs of China, the layout of new houses is also very particular.

In front of the main room (1), a pair of couplets is added with a horizontal batch.

(2) There is a square lantern hanging high in the center of the room, with paintings all around it? Husband and wife and Ming? 、? Guanyin to send children? 、? Champions and? 、? Family entertainment? Mode.

(3) A pair of huge red candles on the incense table.

(4) Both parties? Opposite seat? Stick a picture on the wall.

(5) new house? Gold wall? Post it? What is the position of heaven and earth? Six big characters, written straight from top to bottom. The writing of these six words is particular: the sky should be flat, that is? Ping? The two horizontal lines of the word should be written flat and not distorted; The ground should be wide, right? Land? Write wider words, not too narrow; You can't talk, can you? Jun? Words? Mouth? The text should be completely enclosed, and no gaps should be left; Close your eyes and don't close your eyes, that is, write traditional? 〓? Word, on the right? 〓? Words can't be put on it? Eyes? The last line of this word is completely sealed.

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A new house/apartment

(1) Put a pair of couplets on both sides of the door frame, and add a horizontal batch, which generally reads? Husband and wife and Ming? Four words.

(2) Put a red double happiness on the door.

(3) Hanging lanterns in the middle of the new house.

(4) Paper-cut big red double happiness characters are pasted on the window, and paper-cut butterfly patterns are pasted on the four corners.

(5) Stick couplets on both sides of the window.

(6) Hanging calligraphy and painting around the wall.

There is a pair of couplets and a horizontal batch at the front door of the kitchen. The door is red? Hi? Words.

Other details, such as posting on all room doors? Hi? One word.

After both men and women bow, the bride will never come out in the new house. The groom will go out of the new house to meet the guests. For example, in hotels and restaurants, both husband and wife must go out to meet guests and propose a toast to them. What is it called to arrange seats according to the seniority of the guests at the wedding banquet? Treat? , or? Diners? . The principle of seating arrangement is to respect the upper and lower, respect the right and respect the left. Guests are sorted from high to low according to age, identity and status.

When the seats are arranged, the groom will pour wine and toast for the chief, and then start serving the first course. All tables and drinks should be the same, but? Male relatives? And then what? Sister? As usual, there will be a steamed pork elbow at the banquet. Besides, the groom should always wait at the table, because? Honey? Pour wine, serve rice, send hot towels, etc. To show respect.

After the wedding reception, honey? Leave the room to have a rest, have some snacks, and be accompanied by the man's elders to say some polite words. When the handyman sweeps the floor, the elders have to get up and leave. Do you want it when you leave? Send? Clothes, shoes and socks, and red envelopes. ? Send a big kiss? It's another lively scene. All decent men in the family will be sent to the door and set off firecrackers to show their respect. The groom and his parents should send the guests to the village entrance.

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Hold a wedding banquet

The custom of making wine began in the Zhou Dynasty. The Book of Rites records that the couple ate in prison and embraced each other. In fact, a gourd was cut into two spoonfuls. Hey? . When a wedding is held, the bride and groom each gargle with a sip of wine. What is this called? Combination? . Therefore, people regard marriage as a synonym for marriage. This custom later evolved into eating? A drink? .

Candlelight night

In ancient times, most candles used in weddings were painted with dragon and phoenix patterns. Later generations called flowers and candles marriage. He Xun's poem "Looking at Fulang's Newly Married" says: How to spend the candle night and fan the red skirt lightly. ? On the wedding night, the bride and groom stayed up all night. What is this called? Keep the candle? . For those who don't keep flowers and candles, after the couple goes to sleep, the helper and bridesmaid must always go into the room to see if the flowers and candles are in good condition, so as to avoid writing on the wall. Are there superstitious people? When the candle is left, the groom dies first, and when the candle is right, the bride dies first? For example, if one candle goes out, the other will go out.

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(of relatives and friends) teasing the newlyweds on their wedding night.

This can be said to be the climax of the wedding. Making trouble in the bridal chamber has other meanings besides amusing. It is said that foxes and ghosts often work in bridal chambers. Making trouble in the bridal chamber can exorcise evil spirits and enhance people's yang. So there is a saying: people are not haunted? . In a positive sense, it can still add a lively atmosphere and dispel the cold feeling, so it is also called in some places. Greenhouse? . In the past, men and women were mostly unfamiliar with each other through introductions. Making a new house can help them get rid of strangeness and make a good start for their newly married life. In addition, the bridal chamber can make relatives and friends familiar with each other, show the prosperity of the family and enhance the feelings between relatives and friends. When the bridal chamber activity is going on for a certain time, the groom will lead the bride? Do you want to recognize relatives? . All the elders of the man's family will come in one by one to pay a visit to the bride and groom with the praise of the best man, and will also give the bride a red envelope as a meeting gift. What is this called? Envelope? . At the same time, should the elderly hold hands? Half a gift? . This ceremony can show family unity. Make trouble in the bridal chamber? Three days, big or small? The parents of the bride and groom and even the groom are often teased and teased by others and even the younger generation. People who are teased and teased should not be angry, so as not to spoil the festive atmosphere of the wedding. Of course, people who make trouble in the bridal chamber should not go too far, and making trouble for too long will also affect the rest of the newlyweds. Pay special attention not to be too rude and cause uncivilized things.

Opening ceremony

Three days after marriage, the bride opened the box. Aunt Weng, uncle, relatives and friends all prepared gifts, and brothers, sons, nephews and younger generations also sent some gifts respectively. The offerings are mostly silks and satins, clothes, shoes and socks. Rich and powerful people with a large population are extremely rich.

Huimen

Three, seven or nine days after marriage, the groom accompanies the bride from her husband's house to her mother's house. A woman's house should be serious? Huimen wine? . During the dinner, the bride will introduce the groom to visit relatives and friends at home, starting with the oldest and most distinguished. The audience either nodded, stood up to help each other, or paid half the gift and gave the groom a red envelope. At this point, the traditional wedding customs in China are complete.