MARRIAGE IN CHINA IS A SERIOUS BUSINESS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 70, 19 September 1936, Page 27

MARRIAGE IN CHINA IS A SERIOUS BUSINESS

The traditional or "old style" marriage rites and rituals 'still go on in China, writes Philip Nesbit in the "San Francisco Chronicle." Close to "the hearts of the milling multitudes are-the brief and happy moments when ■those who are young determine to mate. The marriage ceremony is elaborate, as the Chinese .imagination ■:is also sometimes elaborate . . . and of the most richly detailed order. No such casualness ■ as marks our marriages enters the state of marriage in China. ■•: Eating is the keystone of the marriage act. Eating in a dizzy sequence; eating not one party's carefully prepared •foods, but those of a score of parties, constitutes a symbol of abundance and plenty. , Just about every item involved suggests a symbol for some form of well-being! It's a fine :.thihg'to be mentally, expecting happiness and "plenitude, rather than sceptically; expecting the opposite. .1 dare say the Chinese general philosophy is the most' ironclad in this world..

According to the edicts of centuries past, the marriage ritual prescribes six official ceremonies. First, the pro- ■*••;; posal of the nameV then, f ollowirfg the acceptance-of lavish gifts, the -deter- •■• ruination of the marriage date, the abduction of the no doubt willing bride, libations of the wild geese (the equivalent of pur \, "mother-in-law i placation'O,' and,'** lastly,!', the solemn . .presentation at the-temple."\ In* the above list great .primary •,is placed upon the item having to do "; Jiwith the proposal, of the name. The .. i betrothal'is'of import, too, for i't is'the day when the first, mouthful- of; food ' is. taken; in celebration of : the event. "v. It is .but; a mere/prnrier, ', ■:'Jfy ■'"■' "Riding- handsomely in'twc,of those lovely arid'infrequently-seen u and quite 'old-fashioned "sedan chairs,'' the young . "lovers are portaged to the dwelling of 'the' bride. With them go.the pre- :' sents they , must take—two.?: goodish

bundles of silk, two boxes containing vermillion-coloured fruit.

The action just outlined is ever so slightly old-fashioned. I don't believe it is. followed as closely • during these oft-spoken-of tempestuous modern times. In fact,' the groom today, instead of making off with the bride in a happy, delightful urge, goes instead in a palanquin to his bride's abode and calmly gets her! Then there is that economic consideration over the dowry;. A procession, guided by the agents of the occasion, sets out for the groom's house (what a lot of coming and going). They carry a pair of tall, multicoloured, featlier-dusterlike devices. These indicate the full expectation of fruitfulness. and much money and many offspring, etc., including a' long-time residence in this world; The dowry is like the "sliowers" received, by thoughtful American brides. It virtually includes all the slight and otherwise needs of domestic living—kitchen - Utensils, goods dishes, brushes, mops, letter | paper. All these vital considerations come in fours. This is because it is claimed by those who know (the priests) that the gods of marriage are four brothers and, like godly brothers, are married all on the same instant! In China the mothers-in-law do not greatly differ, on the average, from those of this romantic land. They let sternness stand as their motivating intent. They hold the reins of gov r ernment for the two young and innocent lovers (innocent of the complications, set up for the untutored by the tutored). After this the infinitude of ceremonies, ritualistic actions, worshippings, horiourings of relatives, ' ancestors, friends,, and unborn offspring takes place; '

Ultimately the pair of lovers, riding elegantly in the palanquin, start off. It is" a little like getting, a great transatlantic liner off the shipbuilding ways.