Sunday, July 19, 2009

Chinese Wedding
Hair Combing Ceremony




Hair combing ceremony always takes place the night before wedding day (early morning on wedding day). The ceremony symbolizes the adulthood of both the bride and groom, and wishes them a happy marriage. This explains why most Chinese parents only consider their children grownups when they get married.

A 'good fortune' man and woman (usually elder people/relatives who have living parents, children, and a good marriage) and an auspicious time will be chosen to perform the hair-combing ritual at the bride and groom's home respectively.

*Note: The groom needs to do this an hour before the bride does so.

Before the ritual begins, both the bride and groom should bath with water infused with Pomelo leaves^ and put on brand new underwear and pajamas. Bride will usually dress in pink or red pajama (red is the lucky color for festive occasions, especially for Chinese).

The bride and groom will each sit by a window. Some basic items to be prepared for both sides such as lotus seeds, red dates, three bowls of sweet rice balls soup (serve with either 6 or 9 balls in a bowl), fruits, chicken, and pork. Also, a pair of dragon-phoenix candles and incense will be lit in order to pay respect to their ancestors. Besides the basics, both sides need to prepare some other items respectively. For groom, his family will prepare a comb, round mirror, red thread, ruler, red scissors, and a double happiness towel. Whereas, the bride's family will prepare a comb, round mirror, red thread, red scissors, double happiness towel, perfume press powder, sewing kit, and a red scarf. These are all symbolizing a complete sweet marriage with many generations to come.

Are you ready? Hair will be combed for four times and each stroke with an auspicious meaning.

First combing:
May you be together all your lives from beginning till the end.
(一梳梳到尾)


Second combing:
May you have a harmonious intimate marriage till old age.
(二梳梳到白发齐眉)


Third combing:
May you fill your home with your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all over the place.
(三梳梳到儿孙满堂)


Final combing:
May you enjoy abundant wealth and an everlasting marriage.
(四梳梳到四条银筍尽標齐)


At the end of the ceremony, the bride's mother will give her a treasure box filled with jewelry and red packets as a farewell gift to her treasured daughter who is leaving her childhood home.


^Chinese believed that Pomelo leaves will ward off evil spirit.



Happy Planning!






Sources:
Malaysia Wedding Handbook, 2007, Sky Publisher
Hair Combing Ceremony, Chinese Wedding Guide, http://www.chinese-wedding-guide.com
Hair Dressing Ceremony, http://francisleong.com/

Photo credits:
Hair Dressing Items, http://francisleong.com/
Hair Combing Set, http://www.asiaone.com/
Hair Combing Set, http://mollysmallen.blogspot.com/
Glutinous Rice Balls Soup, http://www.digitalphoto.malaysiabest.net/


Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Brand New Bridal Magazine (Malaysia)
Marry Me!




A new born trendy and exciting wedding guide in Malaysia - Marry Me!

Marry Me! is an entertaining, educational, and informative wedding guide specially published for today's couples who love to know the latest wedding trends, fashions, beauty, wedding planning, budget control, and advice and tips. This magazine is scheduled to publish quarterly and will cover 60% of editorial articles and 40% of advertisements.

Four issues a year:
Spring Collection (January)
Summer Collection (April)
Autumn Collection (July)
Winter Collection (October)

Marry Me! aims to be personal and intimate; it features interviews with different designers, photographers, and celebrities to share their romantic love stories and forthcoming weddings. Also, they will be working closely with Malaysia's leading jewelers, bridal shops, and other wedding vendors to promote their latest products and services while offering Marry Me! readers complimentary vouchers to their services.

Marry Me! Magazine is published by White Clover Media Sdn Bhd with Netster Consulting as its consulting web associate partner. The magazine will be distributed in Klang Valley, Penang, Langkawi, Malacca, and Johor. Their distribution centers are participating Starbucks Coffee Shops, Marriage Registration Offices, and Skin Care Retailers (Sasa). To find out the participating distribution center nearest to you, please click here. Grab a copy before it runs out!

For detailed information about this magazine (including advertisement information), please continue reading their rate card.

For inquiry, drop them an email at marry.me@wedding.com.my or simply click here to visit their official website.



Happy Reading!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Chinese Wedding
Dowry


What other wedding tradition to be carried out before the wedding day?

It is the delivery of the bride's dowry to the couple's new home or groom's family (if the couple is going to live with the groom's family). This ritual usually performs any time after the betrothal and gift return ceremonies, up to a day before the wedding day. Dowry gives the bride's family the opportunity to display both their social status and their love for their daughter. It consists of valuable jewelry and other auspicious items as follows.

1. Cane Sugar: Symbolizes sweetness in marriage. (片糖,喻意甜甜蜜蜜)

2. Vase: Symbolizes prosperity of the new family. (花瓶,喻意花开富贵)

3. Purse/Wallet and Belt: Represents wealth.
(钱包和皮带, 取其腰缠万贯之意)


4. Ruler
Wishing the newlywed to have many acres of land (properties) in future.
(尺,取其万顷良田之意)

They use ruler as a symbol to measure their land/properties.

*In old days, sky-high buildings are rare.

Therefore, acres of land represent wealth of the individual/family.
*In modern days, shop lots and office buildings are everywhere.
Therefore, properties such as house and car represent wealth of the family.

5. Two Sets of Clothing
(衣服布料,喻意丰衣足食)^


6. Dragon-Phoenix/Double Happiness Bedding Set ^
*Including bed linen, pillow cases, and blanket.

7. Two Pairs of Bowls and Chopsticks (chopsticks tied together with red string) ^
(子孙碗筷, 取其有衣食之意)

^ Items 5, 6, and 7 as a symbol of good living.

8. Chinese Tea Set
*Including tea tray, teapot, and tea cups.

9. Bronze Tray/Basin with A Pair of Shoes: Symbolizes eternal love.
(铜盘和鞋子, 取其同偕白首之意)
*In modern days, the bronze tray usually replaced by red plastic basin.

10. Scissors: Symbolizes everlasting love.
(剪刀,取其蝴蝶双飞,双双对对之意)

11. Chinese Spittoon (literally known as off-spring bucket)
(子孙桶,即痰盂,喻意百子千孙)


A string of gold coins, cypress, and red packet will be put inside the spittoon.

When dowry is delivered to the groom's family,
all goodies inside will be removed and distributed to children.
Then, a young boy, preferably born in the year of dragon,
will be invited to pass urine into the spittoon.
- As a ritual wishes for a boy child for the newlywed.

*In modern days, red plastic bucket has been used as a substitute to spittoon.

12. Last but not least, jewelries for the bride.
They usually include a pair of gold dragon and phoenix bangles
as a blessing to the newlywed.






Happy Planning and stay tune for our hair combing ceremony posting!







Sources:
Malaysia Wedding Handbook, 2007, Sky Publisher
Chinese Wedding Dowry List, China Bridal, http://www.chinabridal.com

Photo Credits:
Chinese Wedding Dowry Containers, http://www.palmspringscorridor.com
Dowry Set, SG Club, http://www.sgclub.com
Spittoon, BigShipSalvage.com, http://www.bigshipsalvage.com
Cane Sugar, http://www.21food.cn
Antique Vase, http://www.flickr.com/photos
Wood Ruler, http://www.cleansweepsupply.com
Fabric Rolls, Anta Online Shop, http://www.anta.co.uk
Men's Clothing, Tree Hugger, http://www.treehugger.com
Women's Clothing, Tree Hugger, http://www.treehugger.com
Bedding Set, http://www.lightinthebox.com
Chinese Bowl and Chopsticks, http://www.fotosearch.com
Tea Set, Chinese Tea Ceremony, http://hamelwedding.livejournal.com/
Scissors, http://www.greenlightoffice.com/
Gold Bangle, http://www.ebay.com/
Red Packets, http://h2cards.com/