Ancient Wedding Customs (1)

I. The Six Rites Process From the proposal to the completion of the wedding, all six legal steps must be fully completed for the marriage to have legal and social validity: 1. Nàcǎi (Proposal): The groom's family sends a matchmaker to the bride's family to propose marriage. If the bride's family agrees, the groom's family then prepares gifts (usually wild geese, symbolizing fidelity) and formally proposes. 2. Wènmíng (Inquiry of Name): The groom's family sends a matchmaker to inquire about the bride's name, date of birth, and time of birth (Eight Characters). 3. Nàjí (Confirmation of Auspiciousness): The groom's family sends the Eight Characters of both the bride and groom for divination. If the Eight Characters are compatible and highly auspicious (commonly known as 'matching the marriage'), the groom's family will send a matchmaker to notify the bride's family and decide on the engagement. 4. Nàzhēng (Presenting Betrothal Gifts): The groom's family sends betrothal money and generous gifts to the bride's family. This is the most crucial mark of the formal establishment of the marriage contract. 5. Qǐngqī (Setting the Wedding Date): The groom's family selects an auspicious date and time for the wedding and prepares gifts to seek the bride's family's consent (commonly known as 'sending the date'). 6. Qīnyíng (Bride Fetching): On the wedding day, the groom personally leads the procession and sedan chair to the bride's home to escort the bride. II. The Three Documents During the process of the 'Six Rites,' three important documents are exchanged, equivalent to ancient marriage certificates and contracts: 1. Pìnshū (Betrothal Letter): Delivered during 'Nàjí' (engagement), it serves as the formal proof of engagement. 2. Lǐshū (Gift Letter): Delivered during 'Nàzhēng' (presenting betrothal gifts), it details the types and quantities of betrothal gifts. 3. Yíngshū (Welcoming Letter): On the day of 'Qīnyíng,' it is a document personally presented by the groom to the bride's family when he goes to fetch the bride.