1930-03-19

CHINESE MARRIAGE CUSTOMS

HOROSCOPE IMPORTANCE

Old Established Ceremonials Described

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The following full description of the various ceremonials attach-the special messenger, usually ing to a Chinese wedding is given by K.C.C. in the Straits Chinese

Annual:

It may be noted that a few items in the repertory have a doubtful origin—not quite Chinese, in fact. Indeed, in some cases, they distinctly appear to be purely Malayan accretions, having apparently no precedents in Chinese practice. In the matter of adulteration the Straits Hokien community may be said to be the greatest inventors!

not a

THE

CHINA

MAIL.

KASHMIR SILK STORE

for

EXCLUSIVE STOCKS

of SILK and

SILK GOODS

Opposite Queen's Theatre.

received by the

arranged in large open wooden which she must be decked in her boxes and are carried by coolies with finery to await the auspicious hour: poles slung over the shoulders. The when she is to be transported to her motor car is, however, rapidly dis-new home. The ceremonial robes placing the coolie, who is thus rob- worn by the bride deserve more than The most bed of the opportunity of earning as passing mention. neat little sum for comparatively notable feature of the outer gar- light work. Accompany these pre-ment is of course the traditionat sents to the house of the bride is colour,, a flaming red, relieved in a places by embroidery work of the scholarly cider of the community or most exquisite designs. And, as layers under- some respected aged member of the there are so many man's family. He is armed with aneath, the bridal outfit may reason= sets ably be expected to cause extreme statement which elaborately forth the name, the hour and date discomfort when worn over long of birth, the age and other relevant hours in a stifling heat. The bead- data concerning the young man, and dress is at elaborate as it is heavy. it will be his duty when he arrives The hair requires to be so dressed at the bride's house to set down that it can take firmly numberless side by side a similar statement re-ornamental hairpins, the whole, so ating to the yeang lady. This pre-arranged as to form a gorgeous cious document is finally returned to tiara. Thus, if the family is rich the young man's family for safe the bride often carries on her head Chinese parents do not consider ; ceed beyond the stage of "conversa.

well regulated a considerable fortune in gold and their duty to their son ended until tions," The next important step is keeping, and in

choose an auspicious date for familiea it is immediately put away precious stones. However, ordinary be welcomed and they get him properly settled down; to and when they judge the time ripe celebrating the formal betrothal carefully among the family archives, families can always hire a complete bridegroom, whose turn it would The "Toilet Ceremony" bridal outfit for the occasion, and now be to offer tea to her people. for action, all they need do is to Thore is not much cumbersome cere.

We now come to the final chapter it would look just as chic,-only the For this service he also would be drop a gentle hint or two to the mony in connection with this event. which deals with the principal gold and precious stones would not compensated by gifts. Both families

The young man sends to his pro- match-makers, who, as a class, are among the most enterprising and respective ride through Intermedi-ceremonies immediately preceding be genuine. At the lucky hour the then sit down to a grand banquet,— the main event and those that fol- M.C. would lead the bride to the eggs and noodles featuring promin

The noodles, it -sourceful in the world. These aries a ring, oftener than

low. When a propitious date for vehicle which would convey her to ently in the menu. These usually match-makers, each of whom claims couple of rings.

the marriage has been selected, aher future husband. The gait is may be explained, symbolise longe. to have good connections, would take the form of plain gold bands. suitable hour must be set aside for important and is often the result vity, and the eggs a happy, united throw out "feelers" and gather in Then there are also the four, or the "toilet ceremony," which is the of careful rehearsals. She is never and harmonious family the horoscopes of likely candidates, sometimes six. packages of sweet most important item in the celebra to take long strides, not even, o The bride is enjoined to practise

meats which the girl's family accept

to a very strict "purdah" for at least) for purpose of comparison, one at a time. The rule is for the horoscope for distribution among relatives on. This is presided over by a short normal step she has of the girl to be taken by the match-The only return present from the Mistress of Ceremonies who directs shuffle along slowly by inches, and three whole days after her arriva: in operations with meticulous regard to with bowed head and eyes so intent her new home, during walch she is maker and handed over to the young girl to her future husband is any detail. As a preliminary, the bride on the ground just in front of her on no account to leave, the bridal man's people for examination. The suitable memento, usually taking the groom kowlows to the family god feet that, to an onlooker, she often chamber. young man's horoscope is hardly, if form of a handkerchief.

and then seats himself (facing the appears to be moving with her eyes From the time negotiations begin ever, made over to the girl's people.

Families sticking for observance to assume important dimensions, door) on an inverted wooden bucket closed. A thin red veil is usually presumed, had already held a few days earlier, one or more receptions of custom usually retain the girl's the increasing utility of the Chinese placed in the centre of a large worn, but is now often discarded.

round, flat bamboo tray. Directly In the bygone past she roda in alat his own house in honour of the for three almanac becomes apparent. It has behind him, is placed another but gaily decorated and brilliantly event. It is now the turn of the horoscope in the house days before proceeding to the more to be consulted at practically every smaller bucket, in which are put a palanquin, which later was super bridegroom to invite his own and important business of close scrutiny. stage of the long-drawn-out busi-small hand mirror and a burning seded by the carriage-and-pair, family friends to a grand dinner.

Interest in It is of the utmost import light. As a general rule, this light which in turn with the passage of Up to this stage The document is generally put ness. underneath the joss-bowl in the hall ance that the hour and the day ap is extinguished when the "tollet time had to yield place to the infestivities comected with the mar where the family-praying is done. pointed for any ceremony should be ceremony" is over, but in families evitable motor car. As a red carriage have mainly been confined to If nothing untoward happens with designated as suitable and lucky in of sturdy, conservative folk it is with a red hood is not ordinarily relatives of the contracting parties. in that period, then the horoscope la the calendar; otherwise all manner kept burning continually for three procurable, the deficiency is made But on the evening of the third day taken, together. with the young of mischief may be expected from or even twelve days thereafter, up by tying round it a strip of red friends and well-wishers get an op- man's, to a fortune-teller

whose the numberless evil spirits which during which period constant atten bunting. When the M.C. and the portunity of joining in the festivi- business it is to scrutinize very walk abroad on the unlucky days.

tion is necessary to feed the oll and bride are both safely seated in the ties. A big banquet is given; and Another thing to be noted is that trim the wick and to prevent the car, care must be taken to gum a carefully the two documents, to find

Chinese wedding dinner is in every and are all things presented or accepted light from being blown out by a narrow strip of red paper across the sense a truly sumptuous affair. It Cross wherein they antagonistic, and at what points must be in twos, foura, sixes and a strong breeze. Should the light fail door from which the bride would is not for nothing that Chinese hos

It is very rarely on, always an even number, never for any reason before the expiration alight on arrival. The female rela-pitality is world-famed. they harmonize.

And then the predominant of the appointed period, it is held tives then follow in other cars, the inked that two horcscopes are odd.

the only colour to presage misfortune. The cere whole procession proceeding slowly, discovered to harmonize without a colour, in fnet

to the occasion-1 flaw; and therefore where the net that is proper

mony itself is simple and brief, escorted on foot part of the way by Red Ian- result of a comparison falls within red--the colour of joy. the margin of safety there are to- terns, red bunting, red robes, red especially in these days when Chin- the male relatives (usually brothers guests in person, assisted sometimes are queueless. The hair is if available) of the bride. A weird by two "bestmen" or the Chinese lerable chances of the match com table cloths, red all the way through combed a few times from the fore innovation of that which seems equivalent of such. During the

Red holds sway in all the schemes of head backwards, and this is usually to be

оп catching ing off. The girl's horoscope, as

the course of the dinner, he is escorted it of persons or

of done by a small child, perferably a practice may be expected, is subject to a very decoration, be

car round the guest tables, at each of

e30

decking the

The father of the bride, it may be

Teusing the Bride

the

The bridegroom must receive his

marching scrutiny, in an endeavour things. Tradition gives to this brother or cousin of the bridegroom, with fastoons of flowers. It is which it is his duty to spend a short to discover the favourable points-colour pride of place on all joyful guided by the vigilant M.C. In the difficult to understand the motive time. Dinner over, the guests re-

how many good stars there are in occasions. the girl's life.

There is the star of good fortune which indicates that.

the young lady is going to bring wealth to her future husband, the star which points to the probability of having numerous offspring who can be expected to worship at the ancestral tablet, and the star of longevity, and so on ad infinitum.

Faking the Horoscope

Avolding a Jangle

elaborate and ostentatious Gifts from the young man must include,

old days it was necessary to do the behind the change, except possibly pair to the bridal chamber to see man's hair into a queue. His face is on the score that this departure is the bride and to congratulate the

Reception to Bride

casion for speech-making, and ad- vantage is very often taken to tease

While few horoscopes are perfect 30y, a bangle, an ear-ring, a hair people not long after being present first, tearing the strip of red paper bling a' riot. If the bridegroom

in the sense of flawless, likewise few are so bad as to call for instant re- jection.

if a girl'a In any case age, hour and date of birth, etc., are

later.

among other things, four objects of personal adornment wrought in gold pin and an ornamental belt buckle: also a complete costume, a pair of shoes and stockings and other items of personal apparel. The future if they are living. parent-In-Inw.

at the ceremony.

groom on

car

nerve-rack-

ordeal. Not 8 [ew of

In the interval between the formal sprinkled a few times with water Intended to soothe the olfactory happy couple.... This is also the oc-1 betrothal and the actual marriage, from a basin in which may also be nerves of the bride. there must take place a second ex-seen some flowers and a sprig or two change of presents--this time on al of pomegranate. This symbolises

On arrival at her destination, the the bride. This latter practice, more

the washing of the face. There is bride is not to alight until the originally a happy and innocent scale.

a curious belief that the water and bridegroom emerges to receive her custom, has of late years been to his betrothed

flowers left in the basin have a great in person. This he does by advance shamefully exploited to such impos- magical care-value, especially when ing in measured paces to the carible lengths as to turn the scene applied to ailments contracted by when he then performs three acts: into something very nearly resem- gummed across the door and tucking happens to be a harum scarum sort The garments worn by the bride it away in the cuff of his flowing of fellow, it has become the estab

lished practice to pay him back on this occasion are the robes, secondly, striking the "complete costuma" given him by with his fan, and lastly, giving the this occasion by ragging him mer the bride. They are to be worn for footboard a gentle kick. He then cilessly. The point seems to be such as to produce a hopeless hores must not be overlooked under any three complete days during which opens the door from which the M.C.overlooked that it is not the bride-i cope, it will become the plain duty of circumstances, for age does count period the man, is to take no bath may lead the bride into the house, groom but the bride who is called her parents to equip her with an-

for a great deal in the Chinese The same refers to the costume sent where in company with the bride upon to bear the brunt of what other horoscope, so that her pro-scheme of things. They are each spects in life may not be jeopardised presented with a complete costume, "toilet ceremony." When the cere homage to the household god. This ing

to the bride for wearing during het groom she kowtows and renders must to her be a The extreme importance falling which a certain sum in cash mony at the man's home is ended, one she is led to the bridal cham. the speeches made may not be in attached to horoscopes is a great wrapped in red paper is handed incentive to fraud, and horoscopes over, nominally for purchase of bride's house where the same care

the M.C. repairs forthwith to the ber. (The Cantonese bride, by the quite good taste, to put things Then there are the are faked oftener than one is led

The return pre-

way, is not led out of the vehicle, mildly. wearing apparel. to suppose. No girl saddled with aents from the girl include shoes,mony la repeated with a few slight but is badly carried into the house people, who having partaken too socks and a complate costume, not must necessarily be of somewhat arrived in the bridal chamber, the would conceive it to be great fun to variations. This time the affair on the back of an attendant). Once freely of their host's hospitality, a good marriage, and it can easily forgetting the fan. Likewise she be imagined that her parents would must not forget her prospective symbolic

longer duration, as more than a few young man is permitted to remove do a ceremonial parade on the bridal regard it as their bounden duty to parents-in-law who also come in for some real hair-dressing has to be normal circumstances be his first staging a poker game on it. To touches are needed, for the bride's vell, and this would in bed and wind up the proceedings by provide her with a new horoscope, ¦à share. Then there are the usual done. (However the bob and shinglo gaze upon the features of his future such extremes can a homely custom -a better

The of course.

large packages of cakes. These temptation to deception is all the are generally distributed to

are now coming into fashion, and a wife. But an enterprising young be abused! all

Properly used, the occasion, may greater, seeing that detection is relatives, both of the bride and curtailment of time may be expect fellow would often see to it that he difficult: the secret is known to but bridegroom, and great care must be ed!) Although so closely identical had had sight of his "giri" before be utilised to provoke much harm to the thing performed at the man's this! He then unfastens the girdle less fun and merriment. An ingen. taken not to overlook any branch of shortly before, the ceremony in the of the bride's gown, and she in turn ious weaver of verses can often the family tree, otherwise there will girl's home is by far more impres would unloosen one of the buttons evoke much genuine mirth and be endless recriminations from the sive and solemn, if not actually sad, on his robe. They both sit down to healthy laughter without departing very unhappy time in her new party whose pride is thus hurt which it often is. home. Sneers and reproaches would through being slighted.

partake of a kind of sweet cake one iota from the strictest code of The Vortex of Torture specially prepared for the occasion. propriety. And of course the be regarded as an intruder who to such little acts of forgetfulness,

The forthcoming leave-taking of This takes the form and shape of bride must not laugh: for if she gained admission into a respectable so much so that days before the loved ones and home, the dreadful pills dyed red immersed in liquid does, her young man may be called home by false pretences.

event, list is carefully compiled uncertainty of her fate in the home sugar: After eating each from his upon by those present to a penalty for later use..

she is about to enter, of which she and her own cup, the man would in the shape of another dinner.

a poor horoscope can hope to make

one

few and is generally well kept.

Should, however, the truth leak out,

the young lady concerned would have

Many a

be her constant lot, and she would little "civil war can be attributed

To come back to the narration of

the three-day period during which By far the most important in the can know nothing and guess but take from the girl's cup, and She stands there in full regalia, the girl's horoscope is being retain long list of presents from the little, the weeping relatives, the the girl from the man's cup. When complete with ceremonial robes and ed in the man's home, if any un bridegroom is that which takes the paychological effect of the doleful this symbolic feast is over, the head-tiress, poising in her hands a fortunate incident occurs during form of silver coins. These are music accompanying the ceremony, remains of both cups would be pour small tray on which is placed a tiny that time, the horoscope Is handed laid out on large brass plates over-and a host of other influences, biged together into a bowl which is left cup of wine. Every speech-maker back to the girl's family without which are spread thin pieces of red and small, combine to make the standing. under the bridal bed for must take a sip from this cup and further ado, as the initial stroke of suk. The centre of each of these "tollat ceremony" a really trying twelve, or even as many aa thirty replace it on the tray when his bad luck is sufficient indication of coins is daubed with vermilion ordeal for a young girl, who often days. The bridegroom then gpes speech is ended. The M.C. is in the unsuitability of the proposed paint, and they are arranged in reduced to a terrible state of mind. back to fetch from the car the sprig attendance and her duties consist,

Even the mere breaking heaps on the plates,

Each heap and breaks into violent sobbing, of plant supposed to bring luck among other things, in seeing that

match.

placed almost to close the eyes. The more

oblivious the bride remains to her surroundings, the greater her crédit.

of a glass tumbler, a teacup, or a may contain, say, twenty coins and verging on hysteria towards the and red pillow covers and two tiny the bride maintains throughout the all lamps. The sprig is thrown on function the same impossive fea. saucer la by certain people consider there may be as many as four or close of the ceremony. ed sufficiently ominous to warrant six stacks iná plate. *The It la well nigh impossible in such the top of the bed, and the pillow turea: eyelids drawn so low as the fustant rejection of a horoscope number varies, of course, ac- circumstances for a young girl to covers and the lamps are

There is a story told of a spirited cording to the length of mahitain her composure, and it is a underneath It..

The Tea Ceremony young man who for some personal the party's purse, but it must very rare alght Indeed. to see one reasons, took exception to the Hikely always be even he sum of money emerge from the ordeal without The third day is the one appointed Should she show signs of relaxing choice of his parents and proceeded displayed may be large, but it is weeping, even if ever so lttle for reception both domestic and her features and breaking into even a warning to frustrate the plans of the aged very seldom indeed that much more Custom has now decreed that a public. In the early morning the the ghost of a smile, couple by resorting to the simple than a merely nominal sum is ac. young girl during this "toilet care, young couple would have to perform signal is immediately forthcoming expedient of smashing the furniture cepted. The balance is returned, mony" must cry, even though she kowtows and render obefeance to the in the shape of a fierce whisper, and of the house, paying special atten-and it is positively bad form to take may be one of those rare belogs family gods and then to the ances should the occasion demand it, even tion to the joss-bowl under which out more than two or four dollara, who can control their feelings; and tral tablets and finally to the a nasty pinch or a pin-prick. The the girl's horoscope lay. Of course, A family who disregards this con- so the MC. or the girl's mother parents and other elder relatives of M.C, is a vigilant soulf seeing that the household gode vention runs the risk of neighbours must make it her business to prompt the bridegroom. Following this, the On the twelfth day following the showed their disfavour in such un-and spiteful relatives saying that a the bride to shed a tear or two, as bride would have to serve these marriage, the bride visits her par compromising fashion, the parents daughter has been sold for so many a face entirely free from tears will people with tea. For the kowtow- ents in the company of her husband, further negotiations by shekels. So strong is the fores of be interpreted by onlookers sa in- ing and offering of ten she receives this being the first occasion she Thus opinion in this matter that a girl's dicative of a stony disposition from each of them in return a gift ventures outside her new home. It poor parents would go to all manner not very feminine a womanly of money or a place of Jewellery is also the young man's first State of trouble raising loans for mar attribute,

wrapped in red paper. Later in the visit to his wife's people, who would derriage exponses rather than accept After the tolet ceremony the morning, the mother and other remake it their business to entertain more than the nominal couple of bride is granted & brief respite to latives, if any, of the bride would the couple right royally. This

These various efftsfare collect herself, immediately after arrive in a Blate valt and would brings the celebrations to a close.

Sho

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1930.

THE HONG KONG

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