Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-04
HOW THEY MARRY IN CHIN.
Customs Which Appear Very Ridicu-
Ious in Our Eyes.

rom the London Express
Inc marriage Of the upper classes in
CHINA Is surrounded by number of very
elaporate ceremonies, though those of hum
pier station content themselves with more
primitive rites
among the classes supposed to be better
OH great feast is one of the most i'm
por'ant items of the days proceedings
ms winch answers to the wedding break
last, is spread on tables at the east and
west of the dining hall Rut cnrto,siy
enough, neither bride nor bridegroom is per
mltted to taste of the delicacies thereon
uispiayed instead, meal for the happy
man Is spread in the courtyard Before
the ceremony he makes obeisance 10 b,s
iather and the wedding guests, kneeline
DOWN and knocking his head six times
against the ground. The father hands him
his bride ~ tiu i'i
The formula In the bidding never alters.
1t Is In the following words: Go, my SON,
and seek your wife and behave in ali
things with prudence and wisdom Tha
sedan chair. or paanquin, which is dis
patched Tor the reception of the bride is
lhNarlapiy painted red. and is often richly
adorned with paintings and carvings a
profusion of gliding is always one of its
most characteristic features A large pro-
cesslon, including a band of music is al
Ways sent as escort to the blushing bride.
Gay lanterns and banners, torches umbreI-
las and fans are always carried in the pro-
cession, not to mention various emblems
appropriate to the occasion Thus a tiny
orange o. Tree well loaded with golden fruit,
is taken along as a symbol Of a large fam
ny. goose and gander are emblematical
OF con1ugal fidelity, while dolphin means
Worldiy prosperity and high position The
color or all the paraphernalia is red-the
hue of rejoicing. Red fans red IanternS
RED umbrellas together with the red-psint-
ed palanquin and the red costumes of the
a ar9 i.n make bright splash of color.
"a mn ia l.
ing their hardest, gongs beating torches
spIut'erlng and fiaring and lanterns gleam-
ing Cnlhese wedding procession appeals
powerfully alike to eye and ear
II is etiquette for everybody TO make vrav
Tor the cortege, and China penal code nro
WOES severe punishment for anybody ne
glecting to do So
Before the bride sets forth on her iour-
ney TO her new abode. whittier she is hidden
by a few lines written on red paner and
presented by the friend of the bridegroom
answering to the English best man''-she
Goes koW-tow 10 her father and mother
drinks last cup of wine and. kneeline
llstens to harangues from her parents on
the new state of life into which sh, is
now entering, and her duties therein These
ordtions, III the best style of Chimes. eln-
quence. occupy some time, meanwhile the
poor little bride, on her knees listens with
what patience she may command Ere
Stepping INTO the palanquin she wells her
self In silk of the orthodox shade of red
then the return procession starts
arrived at the house, a curious ceremony
takes place. the bride being presented with
tray containing rice and betel nuts. She
must PROSTATE herself at the feet of her
future husband to denote her comnlete
submission to his will. Then the girl un-
velis, and for the first time the bridegroom
sees his brides face
Ancestor worship and the alteration Of
the heavens and the earth are essential
parts of Chinese marriage ceremony
though the formal alteration of th~aaces-
tral tablets does not take pace till the
tnird day after the wedding. The bride at
the wedding feast must PROSTATE hsrsaif
before her parents-in-law to whom she
gives wine The mother-in-law in her turn
presents the bride with a cup of wine.
Three days after marriage a grand visit OF
ceremony is paid to the wife's parents
Servants laden with presents accompany
the newly welded pair