6 Traditions That Are Rarely Practiced Today in Chinese Weddings

Once upon a time, traditional Chinese wedding was more than just a marriage between two people. It was a connection forming between two families to determine their future prosperity and legacy. Thus, the Chinese had come up with various interesting customs which they believed were auspicious and would bring good luck.

Though some of them are not practiced anymore, we are still amazed of the efforts and thoughts they put to ensure a successful marriage. We wonder if you too, heard or still see these cultural beliefs?

1. Brides used to cover their faces with a hand fan on wedding day

In the old days, a bride was required to keep her face covered with a head scarf and a hand-held fan. There are 2 intentions; one, to maintain her “modesty” and second, to protect her from the evil. From the moment she leaves the bridal room, she would need to cover her face with a scarf and held the fan in her hands. Now, hand fan is no longer customary in Chinese wedding although head scarf is still popular among brides.

Traditional hand-held fan was decorated
with Chinese poems or paintings

2. The bride’s mother was not allowed to visit her son-in-law’s family until one year after the wedding day

In the contrast, the new son-in-law and daughter would come home on the third day of marriage, which held a message that the bride was safe and good during her journey. The son-in-law would bring enormous gifts to his parents-in-law and a dinner party was prepared to receive them.

The tradition of daughter and son-in-law returning home on
the third day of marriage is mostly still practiced

One year? We will miss you lots mum! > <

3. Pregnant women are not allowed to enter the bride’s room during the entire month of wedding

These “women” included sister-in-laws, aunts, cousins and any others who were pregnant at the time, as they were believed not “lucky”, and it might off set each other’s health, happiness in marriage, as well as prevent the new bride getting pregnant.

Bride's room is more contemporary nowadays

4. Throwing buns to ward off toothache

Sounds funny? But it was practiced and many people would follow the bride’s sedan to catch the buns. Some children would even ask the bride to touch their mouths to make their teeth grow. 

Mantou is a popular steamed bun for Chinese for centuries

5. The bride is to pick up a pair of chopsticks on floor upon arrival at the groom’s house

There are 3 meanings behind this custom. First, it is to show that the bride is now married and no longer eats at her parent’s home. Second, to welcome the new daughter into the family. And third, the bride now carries the job of cooking for her husband’s family.

For Chinese, chopsticks signify a union of two people

6. Bride is not allowed to touch her house’s floor and has to be carried on her brother’s back

There were 2 beliefs behind this. Firstly, it was said to avoid the bride from “taking along” her family’s prosperity and good fortunes. On the opposite, the bride’s mother-in-law was afraid that the bride would “bring along” bad luck, bad temper and bad habits of her.

Today, carrying the bride is done by her groom

Source: 3qmogi, 52fhj, jschina, kujiale, photophoto, weidaohang

But, there are always other ways to rid off bad luck and to attract good luck in marriage. This is why traditional Chinese wedding jewellery is intricately crafted to embrace the best blessings. Among the long-hit are the dragon and phoenix bangles which meant to wish the newlyweds eternal love and lasting marriage.

Literally means prosperous when blossom, flowers are also perfect elements in traditional wedding jewellery.

"9 Treasures" Jewellery Box is small in size but big in wishes. Each piece of jewellery brings symbolic meanings of eternity, prosperous, beauty and successful marriage with children.

999 Pure Gold "9 Treasures" Box consists a pair
of scissors, a comb, a mirror, a pair of shoes, a scale,
an abacus, a bucket, and a ruler.

We have these auspicious pieces at our exclusive traditional Chinese wedding jewellery boutique in Wah Chan Section 14, Petaling Jaya. Visit us at Wah Chan Wedding Jewellery Retail Boutique or call us today at 03-7955 8321.