Wedding Lore in Ancient China

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22320, 18 January 1936, Page 6 (Supplement)

Wedding Lore in Ancient China

By LILY S. KRUG

OLD CUSTOMS WHICH MODERN WOMAN MUST OVERCOME

T HE modern Chinese woman has reached a far higher standard of emancipation than her Japanese sister —she does not want to be considered as merely a man's property. The number of Chinese women students increases every year; many of them finish their studies in Europe or America, and try to sweep away superstition and ancient traditions which are out of date altogether. To overcome old customs in China is, however, a most difficult task, and to study some of them is necessary to an understanding of these interesting and lovely women. Let us watch a bridal procession turning round the corner in one of the crowded streets of Shanghai. A riclily•carved sedan chair carries the bride, who is brought by many attendants and great pomp into the bridegroom's house. Monday, the day of the moon, is considered a lucky day on which most Chinese weddings take place. According to custom, bride and bridegroom have never met before, as the parents arrange the marriage when the children are still lying in the cradle. To-day, Christian and modern Chinese are fighting against this ancient tradition and against the old practice, too, which permits rich men to keep several concubines besides their wives.

husband; red lips, which are considered as a proof that she will give birth to healthy children, especially to boys, as many girls are not welcome in China; and small ears, as ears which are too big betoken a disposition to waste money! If the part between chest and neck is well developed it is supposed to bring success in the husband's business enterprises. The colour of tiie skin must be like ivory to bring good luck in general, and soft, black hair means health and long life. If the cheek bones are too prominent they may indicate an early death for the husband. The wedding dinner consists of a number of tasty dishes, often comprising about 30 different courses, and always concludes with sharks' fins and birds' nest soup, which are regarded as great delicacies. For a'! the dishes one uses the same pair of chopsticks, with which one must also dip the food out of tho big bowl into one's own small bowl. Naturally, a good deal Rets spilled on to the tablecloth, which thus does not look very attractive at the end of the meal. The table at which the young couple is placed, is covered with a red tablecloth for dispelling evil spirits. Tho very popular Chinese rice brandy, "sake," is the only drink served. The noise at the table is indescribable, and is increased by playing dice. The young married woman has to submit herself to the "queen of the household," the mother-in-law, in whose house she makes her new home. Before the parents agree on the marriage of their children, an astrologer has always to be consulted, to cast the horoscopes, which have to coincide. Incidentally, these Chinese marriages are often happier than those of Western countries.

Another strange custom! The bride is allowed neither to speak nor to laugh on her wedding day, and the invited cuests take a wicked pleasure in trying to make her break this quaint law. The wedding gifts of' the party usually take the form of money, which is accepted for their own and the young couple's amusement. Their congratulations are embroidered in big golden letters on red silk flags with which the walls of the wedding hall are ornamented, as red is said to banish evil spirits. The wedding ceremony begins with deep bows and the prayers of the young married couple to Heaven, Earth and Ancestors, and ends by their bowing solemnly to each other as a sign of respect and politeness. A bride is thought perfect if she possesses a high forehead, which means noble ancestors; eyes which have to be as oblique as that of the phoenix, China's sacred bird, which brings good luck and indicates intelligence; a nose which is not too small, as this ensures a successful "carrier" for the

As a sidelight on marriage in modern China, here is an announcement of a divorce which was published in a Shanghai newspaper: "The writer of this advertisement, Mr. Chen and his wife, were very happy in their married life. This, however, has changed so much that they mutually decided to part. From to-day we declare ourselves single again. This agreement is entirely our own. The daughter of the first marriage will be given to the mother. The father, therefore, has no right to her. Of this agreement every party received a copy." (Signature.).