Chinese Wedding Taboo, Rules & Ritual

Should I Ignore or observe (Chinese Wedding Taboo) during the modern Chinese marriage?

Yup, that’s the Jackpot question when it comes to the Chinese Wedding Taboo, which one should be practised and which one can be ignored?

The Chinese ritual of putting diffrent types of seeds on the wedding bed

I have been into the situation and the answer is it is up to the married couple and the parents as it’s totally impossible to follow all the taboos, rituals and rules.

Generally, these restrictions are to avoid classing of lucks or fortune of the bride and groom to be.

Let’s have a quick rundown of Chinese wedding taboos, rituals and rules. Then, you could decide which one to observe or practise.

The bride shaded by an umbrella

One/two months prior to the wedding day. (A more strict family observed it as early as three months)

1. The bride and groom are strictly prohibited from attending any funeral or lady during confinement.
2. Prohibited from eating full moon cakes or food and attending the baby full moon party.
3. Prohibited from attending other’s wedding. (not welcome or encourage by the wedded couples and the bride and groom)
4. Don’t engage in dangerous outdoor activities like mountain climbing, boating and fishing in the sea.

The Wedding bedroom, gifts and wedding items.

1. Pregnant lady, person who have just lost their family members and person with conflicting zodiac sign with the groom and bride (adviced earlier by the Chinese Marriage Astrologer or fortune teller) are strongly prohibited from entering and touching those items.
2. After the fixing marriage bed ceremony, they are not allowed to sleep on the marriage bed until the wedding night.
3. The groom are strongly prohibited from sleeping alone on the matrimony bed as to leave one side of the bed empty prior to the wedding night as it is considered a curse on the health of the couple (bad omen).

Important Chinese wedding rituals, rules and wedding items that you shouldn’t miss.

1. A pair of table lamps. These wedding lamps must be switch on for three days.
2. A brand new marriage bed and bed sheets. (No second hand item please)
3. Fixing the marriage bed ritual must be done (For the fortune and prosperity of the couple).
4. Chinese Wedding tea sets. (to be used during the future children’s marriage-tea ceremony)
5. The ritual of eating the glutinous rice ball (Tang Yuan or Kueh Yee) by the bride and groom. (The sweetness of the syrup symbolized a sweet and happy marriage while the sticky glutinous rice will help to strengthen the marriage union.)
6. The bride must carry the hand fan and walk under the shade of an umbrella when stepping out from the parents’ house to the waiting bridal car. (To avoid any bad luck and evil spirit).
7. All the Ang Pows (red packets) must contain even numbered money in it as even number is used during joyful events; except for number 4 which is deemed as “dreadful” number.
8. When the bride enters the groom's home, the groom’s immediate family members (parents & siblings) should not watch the bride entering the main door. This is to prevent confrontation in the future.

One month after the wedding day

1.Prohibited from attending any funeral or newborn baby (lady in confinement).

What to do if one of the bride or groom’s parents or grandparents passes away during the wedding preparation?

According to the Chinese culture, the wedding will be either conducted within 100 days after the death or postponed until 3 years (1000 days) later.

After reading about the Chinese wedding taboo, rules and rituals, it’s time for you to make your own decision……

Therefore, it is a good idea to talk to the elderly of your family members.

All the best and congratulations…..

Have a happy and smooth preparation for YOUR wedding.