The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-01-10
A Chinese Marriage.

The II arriage ceremony in China differs
other countries. Love before marriage was
never the fashion with the Chinese. A Chi
naman, If he moves in polite circles, has
never seen the lady to whom he is betrCtled,
and has not the remotest idea Of what she is
like, whether she at all resemble the crea-
/ tnre his fancy had painted, Or whether the
first sight Of her unveiled face on the day CT
marriage will cast shadow over the pros
poets Of his future. He does not understand
love; it is no part OF the marriage contract.
He was probably betrotied by bis parents
before his infant eyes opened upon the
charms of his country. His intended wife
has been reared for him in the strict seclu-
sion OF her paternal home.
The parents of marriageable children ustl-
ally eagage professional person. or 90 be-
tween. to negotiate an alliance for their son
Or daughter. Suitable presents are eA-
changed, and an astrologer is called IN to
fix a lucky day for the ceremony. This in
dividnal processes to Investigate the horo-
scope Of the contracting parties. and to as
certain whether the combined ages OF bride
aud groom and the exact time CT birth will
create any bad influence if the Two are uni
ted on given Gay.
Should lady who has been betrothed in
the customary manner by her parents die
befo marriage. the bereaved youth is at
liberty to make another engagement; but
should he die before marriage, the young
lady must 90 il weeds for the time of her
natural life and should she during her
w:dowhood be held in esteem by her neigh
bors for perfect chastity, the Imperial Gov
ernmcnt will erect stone arch over her
, grave There are many who, when in this
stuton. prefer to commit suicide rather
than face the ills Ct a spinster's or widows
life.
1t Is usual during the marriage week. to
, engagca procession OF coolies 10 parade the
, streets with the articles of household fnlni-
, turr the silks and jewels OF the new couples
{ On the day OF marriage the bride is. in a
r 1utter as she is being dressed ard painted
! | by her female relatives and attendants. The
, head tlress, hung with glittering sprays of
, pearls, is poised oil the head, the last touch
is given to The uniform folds OF her red silk
7 robe, the gorgeous gilded chair waits at Tic
door; She is gently raised in her brother S
arms and held over fire Of charcoal to dis
pei any urkn. dcviltry that may be about
her. She is then carried TO her chair. fol-
. lowed by chorus OF weeping females, four
t of wh.m are the bridesmaids, who IRE Old
, married women. dressed i'll black and red
scaris. Then, amid the ,leafenlng Din of
t firccrackers, the shrli tones OF native flutes
| and boom ef gonss, size is borne Off to the
e home of the bridegroom. at the door OF which
s she is met by az old woman, the mother Of
t male children. 1t is then that one of the
0 most tedious of earthly ceremonies begins,
5 wliereim the spirits OF ancestors have to be
worshipetI the parents have to be WOrshiped.
and the marriage contract read. Then they
e drink from the sacred wine-eur, when two
4 wine. cups are united with a red silk thread
e and the contents drunk by the young couple
before the assembled guests. The | ride ard
: bridegroom are usually seated duiins hi;
e part of the ceremony FL
When the ceremony is over the bride
e tah es of her outer robe, and prepares tt
V submit herself TO the varied aid what We
r consider extremely -rude) remarks Of the
gentlemen present. who talk freely OF llt
form OF her hands, feet, head. nose, mouth
ewes. etc feast follows, aud the happy
pair don't 90 off in I cllase-and-iour on theil
' honeymoon. The lady retires 20 and keeps
s the strict scclusion OF her new home. Whit
u the bridegroom joins in the feast. which i;
Il kept mp to a late hour.