The Gift of Hand-Holding: Meanings and Legal Contracts of Betrothal Gifts in Ancient China (Part 1)

Ancient people placed great importance on 'auspicious homophones' and 'good things come in pairs' when sending betrothal gifts, with all items needing to be in even numbers. The content of these gifts varied greatly depending on the 'era' and 'social class'. I. The 'Two Essential Items' Throughout Ancient Times From the Zhou Dynasty to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, two items held the most symbolic significance as core betrothal gifts: • Live Geese (Great Geese): The most primitive and noble betrothal gift. Ancient people believed that geese flew south in winter and returned north in summer, following the principles of Yin and Yang. Furthermore, geese mate for life, and if one dies, the other remains alone until death, symbolizing unwavering fidelity in marriage. When commoners couldn't afford or catch live geese, they would typically use geese or ducks as substitutes. • Tea Leaves (Tea Ceremony): Ancient tea trees could not be transplanted and had to take root where they were planted (a child who takes root and does not move). Therefore, sending tea leaves was a metaphor for a betrothal that meant 'once engaged, the will shall never waver,' which is why a woman's engagement was referred to as 'receiving tea' in ancient times. II. The 'Period of Spiritual Symbolism' from the Pre-Qin to Han-Tang Dynasties Betrothal gifts during this period leaned more towards ritual and cultural metaphors, not emphasizing extreme luxury: • Xuan Xun Shu Bo: Five bolts of silk tied together, which had to be in 'Xuan color (black-blue, representing heaven)' and 'Xun color (reddish-brown, representing earth),' symbolizing the harmony of heaven and earth and the union of Yin and Yang. • Li Pi: Matched pairs of deerskin, symbolizing the couple's mutual dependence and companionship. • Nine-Child Ink Stick: Ink sticks popular in the Tang Dynasty, engraved with nine young children, symbolizing a full house of descendants and abundant procreation. • Cattail and Reed: Wishing the bride's character to be as gentle and resilient as cattails and reeds.