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Weddings in China and India are diverse with a dazzling variety of traditions. Matrimonial celebrations take many forms and can last for several days.
Sometimes a ceremony may combine elements of Asian and Western culture. In stark contrast to their U.S. counterparts, some Asian families still insist on arranging marriages for their children, especially if they come from a rural area. Choosing a date for the wedding to take place is not always a simple decision since many individuals, particularly the Chinese, follow the lunar calendar. The month and day must be lucky, and the moon and stars must be in perfect alignment. Here are some short descriptions of traditional weddings in the world's two largest nations. ChinaThis is a huge country and to list the different customs observed in every region would be impossible, but here are the main points. A Chinese wedding involves much more than giving a ring and popping the big question. Both families must agree and select an auspicious date for the betrothal day. Family members then gather to discuss when the ceremony should begin. It's considered bad luck not to talk to a fortune teller before choosing a specific date. White is a color that will not be seen anywhere during the big day. In China, red is the color symbolizing good luck and prosperity. Wedding invitations, gift packages and envelopes containing money for the new couple will all be red. A symphony of firecrackers, gongs and drums to ward off evil spirits signal the beginning of the proceedings. The groom will carry gifts of cash wrapped with red tissue to the bride's house. The entrance of her home will be blocked by her friends, at which point he must hand over the money to convince them to let her go. When it's time to sit down and eat, guests are served at least eight courses. There's abalone, quail, shark's fin soup, roasted chicken and duck (these are served whole to symbolize unity). IndiaSimilar to China, India has within its borders several ethnic minorities, and wedding customs will vary considerably. Hinduism is the predominant religion, and a service is performed by a male Brahmin priest. While he chants holy verses in Sanskrit, a fire is lit in the middle of the mandap, the wedding altar. It's meant to invite the fire god Agni to witness the union of the couple. The right hands of the bride and groom are tied with blessed thread, and they throw offerings of oats, rice and leaves into the flames. The most important part of the ceremony is the Saptapadi. The couple takes seven steps, each one calling for a specific blessing from the gods. Depending on which region of India they're from, wedding dresses for men range from the southern dhoti or the sherwani prevalent in the north. The former is a rectangular piece of cloth wrapped around the waist, and the latter resembles a frock coat. Indian brides will be dressed in a sari, an unstitched garment draped around the body in various styles. Deep shades of maroon, red and magenta are the most favoured colors. The foods served at a wedding banquet will also vary according to the backgrounds of the families involved. Some menus may be vegetarian and have lentil/rice dishes with savory breads, and others might have meat based specialties. A popular game to play during the subsequent festivities is for the bride and grooms to try and find their wedding rings in a bucket of milk. Whoever grabs their ring first is thought to be the one who will rule the household. Traditional weddings in these two countries are joyous occasions, and it would be a privilege to attend one as a guest. The sights and sounds can be overwhelming at first, but it's an experience to be remembered for a lifetime.
The copyright of the article Traditional Asian Weddings in Marriage is owned by Scott Hayden. Permission to republish Traditional Asian Weddings in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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