II。 A General Introduction of Marriage in China
2。1 Marriage Customs in China
With the development of China, Chinese ancient marriage customs always constantly develop, and the marriage customs are multifarious。 Chinese marriage customs are much more solemn and complicated than other countries in the world。来:自[优E尔L论W文W网www.youerw.com +QQ752018766-
2。1。1 Traditional Chinese Marriage Customs
In ancient China, among all traditional Chinese etiquette, the process of marriage was extremely exquisite。 The Etiquette(《仪礼》)recorded that Chinese wedding ceremony process had the definite provision。 It is said that marriage had six steps leading to a feudal marriage。 They are proposing a marriage, name-inquiry, Naji, sending marriage dowry, choosing, deciding the marriage date, and welcoming the bride(2:21)。 From then on, the six steps leading to feudal marriage have been the formal pattern of traditional Chinese marriage。
Proposing a marriage is the first etiquette。 And it is the first impact of the two families。 So, it has an extremely meaning。 It is commonly said to seek a marriage alliance。 If the man’s family think someone’ daughter could be one of the daughter-in-law candidates, they would call for a matchmaker to lady’s family to present the gifts, and make a match to the lady’s family。 Meanwhile, if the lady’s family also have the intention for marriage, they would suggest the the matchmaker to choose one of the gifts。 Of course, before the man’s family enters into the first step of the marriage etiquette, they has sent the matchmaker to get the lady family’ s approval。