Looking for wedding traditions in China? We’ve gathered the complete guide for Chinese wedding traditions – including how they celebrate, gifting etiquette, traditional clothing, food and drink, and more.
Weddings are filled with unique traditions and festivities. Add to the celebrations with a memorable gift experience or a thoughtful gift.
To help you explore Chinese traditions, this article is organized into:
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Unique Chinese Wedding Traditions
Chinese wedding traditions are steeped in history and culture, and there are many unique customs and practices that are still followed today. Here are some of the most interesting and unique Chinese wedding traditions:
- Planned Crying: In some Chinese cultures, the bride is expected to cry for an hour each day for a month before the wedding. This is believed to signify happiness and is often accompanied by the mother, grandmother, and sisters joining in the crying.
- Tea Ceremony: In Chinese weddings, the tea ceremony holds great significance. The bride and groom serve tea to their parents and elders as a sign of respect and gratitude. This tradition symbolizes the union of two families and the beginning of a new chapter in the couple’s lives.
- Shooting the Bride: In some regions, the groom must shoot three arrows at the bride, but without arrowheads. Once he has done this, he breaks the arrows in half to symbolize his love for her.
- Red Wedding: Red is a symbol of love, luck, and boldness in Chinese culture. On the wedding day, the bride’s face is covered in a red veil, and she travels in a red bridal sedan.
- Locks Be Gone: On the day after the wedding, the bride has all but one lock of her hair shaved off to symbolize beauty and cleanliness.
- Half-Cooked Dumpling: On the night of the wedding, the bride eats a half-cooked dumpling to symbolize the rawness of giving birth to a child.
- Bargain Bride: The groom must answer questions and bargain his way to his bride, who is being blocked by her family and friends.
Traditional Chinese Wedding Attire
Chinese wedding attire is often colorful and ornate, with the bride typically wearing a red dress called a qipao, which symbolizes happiness, prosperity, and good luck. The groom wears traditional Chinese clothing, often in a color such as blue or green.
How to Say “Best Wishes” in Mandarin Chinese
To say “best wishes” in Mandarin, you can say “Jìxiǎng hǎo yùn” (吉祥好运), which means “good luck and auspiciousness.”
Need more wedding wishes? Here is our full article on Wedding Wishes in Other Languages.
Chinese Wedding Gifting Etiquette
Gifting is an important part of Chinese wedding culture. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:
Do’s in Gifting
- Embrace the Red Envelope: The red envelope, called “hongbao” (pronounced hung-pow), is the most common wedding gift in China. It symbolizes good luck and helps the couple start their new life together.
- Choose Lucky Amounts: Opt for amounts ending in lucky numbers like 6 or 8, and avoid unlucky numbers like 4. Popular choices include 688 (represents “may all things go smoothly”), 888 (represents “triple the fortune”), or amounts that are significant to your relationship with the couple.
- Present with Grace: Use a brightly colored red envelope and present it to the couple or a designated gift collector with both hands. A simple “xinhe nianxi” (pronounced shin-huh nee-en-hsi) which means “congratulations” is a nice touch.
- Consider Your Relationship: The closer you are to the couple, the larger the amount you might give. For close family, a more substantial gift is expected, while for distant relatives or friends, a smaller amount is appropriate.
Don’ts in Gifting
- Skip the Red Envelope: While other gifts are becoming more common, the red envelope is still the expected and preferred gift.
- Wrap in White or Black: These colors symbolize mourning and are inappropriate for weddings. Stick to the lucky red!
- Gift Odd Amounts: Odd numbers are considered unlucky. Opt for even amounts that symbolize harmony and balance.
- Present Open Envelopes: Always seal the red envelope before presenting it.
- Forget the Thank You Note: While not strictly required, a handwritten thank you note to the couple is a thoughtful gesture.
Firecrackers
A longstanding tradition in Chinese weddings, the setting off of firecrackers serves multiple purposes. Beyond adding an electrifying burst of excitement to the festivities, the loud pops and crackles are believed to ward off evil spirits, ensuring that only positive energy and blessings accompany the couple into their new life together.
This age-old practice symbolizes the desire for a joyous and auspicious beginning, setting the tone for a harmonious and prosperous marriage filled with love and happiness.
Lion Dancing
Central to the fabric of traditional Chinese weddings, lion dancing is a captivating spectacle that infuses the event with vibrant energy and symbolic significance. As the lion dancers gracefully move to the rhythm of drums and cymbals, their performance is not merely entertainment but a sacred blessing upon the newlyweds.
The lion, believed to be a harbinger of good fortune and prosperity, bestows its blessings upon the couple, symbolizing their journey into marital bliss and abundance.
Feeding the Dragon
A cherished tradition during dragon dancing, the act of feeding the dragon holds deep symbolic meaning in Chinese culture. When the wedding party feeds the dragon, it is not only an act of respect and gratitude but also a gesture of goodwill and generosity.
By contributing to the dance, the couple invites blessings and auspiciousness into their marriage, ensuring a future filled with abundance, harmony, and mutual prosperity.
The Art of Drinking
In Chinese wedding culture, the act of drinking holds deep cultural significance, representing camaraderie, hospitality, and the forging of bonds between families. On their wedding day, the couple is expected to partake in copious amounts of alcohol, symbolizing their willingness to embrace shared experiences and face life’s challenges together.
By toasting with family and friends and sharing in the revelry of the celebration, the couple reaffirms their commitment to each other and to the support of their loved ones.
Conclusion
Celebrating weddings in China goes beyond vows and rings. It’s a time to honor love, cherish family, and embrace timeless traditions.
Weddings are imbued with cultural richness and meaningful rituals. Enhance the festivities with an unforgettable gift experience or a thoughtful gift. So, here’s to a traditional way of celebrating weddings!
Sophie is an etiquette coach who has the rare ability to make the intricacies of etiquette approachable and fun. She travels around the world coaching families, individuals, corporates and independent schools. Sophie has honed her craft without losing her easy-going charm.