As a seasoned Feng Shui Master, I've guided countless couples through the labyrinth of Chinese wedding customs and taboos. It's easy to overlook these age-old traditions in this fast-paced world, but awareness of them can pave the way to a harmonious marriage.
Must-Know Wedding Customs and Taboos
Section 1: Before the Big Day
Respect the Spirits: Avoid the Seventh Lunar Month (農曆七月)
In Chinese culture, the seventh lunar month, known as the "Ghost Month" (鬼月), is considered inauspicious for marriage due to the believed presence of stronger negative energies.
Double Happiness or Trouble? The Two Sides of Double Spring and Leap Month Years (雙春閏月年)
Both double spring and leap month years traditionally symbolize double happiness, but they may also imply instability and potential affairs. Balance is key.
Care for the Characters: Mind the Orientation of '囍'
While it may be tempting to paste the character for joy (囍) upside down, like the character for fortune (福), doing so can actually imply bad luck.
Harmony over Clash: Avoid 'Clashing Joy' (喜沖喜)
Newlyweds should refrain from attending celebrations or funerals one month before and four months after the wedding to prevent "clashing joy."
Hold Your Sweet Tooth: Don't Eat Your Own Wedding Pastries (喜餅)
The bride should not consume her wedding pastries, to avoid consuming her joy.
Section 2: The Wedding Day
Healthy Habits: The Bride Should Not Lie Down Before Bedtime
The bride should not lie down before bedtime to avoid implied long-term illness.
Names Matter: Aunts and Sisters-in-law Should Avoid the Bride
The Chinese words for "aunt" (姑) and "sister-in-law" (嫂) sound like "lonely" and "sweep" respectively. They should not accompany the bride to the wedding car to avoid these implications.
The Power of Pairs: Favor Even Numbers
Even numbers symbolise pairs and couples, bringing good luck to newlyweds. However, avoid multiples of 4, as it sounds like "death" (死) in Chinese.
Pockets or Not: The Bride's Clothes Should Not Have Pockets
To prevent carrying away the wealth of her parental family, the bride's clothes should ideally not have pockets.
Tigers Beware: People Born in the Year of the Tiger Should Not Enter the Bridal Chamber
To avoid scaring away the God of Joy, people born in the Year of the Tiger should not enter the bridal chamber or attend the ceremony.
The Last Dress: Do Not Take Off the Wedding Dress on the Wedding Day
The bride should only change into the ceremonial dress when toasting to avoid implications of remarriage.
While it's important to respect these wedding customs and taboos, remember to maintain a balanced approach. Communication is the cornerstone of a blissful marriage. As your Feng Shui guide, I'm here to help navigate your journey to marital harmony. Connect with me to unlock the secrets of these age-old customs and start your married life on the right foot.
