Chinese weddings are based on traditions and symbolic rituals which are strongly embedded in the culture. Traditional Chinese wedding are in particular known for the significance of the color red. Western weddings emphasize the color white to represent purity; however, in Chinese culture the color red is critical in representing luck and happiness. White, in fact, represents death and is not present in a traditional Chinese wedding. Red is such an integral part of the wedding, everything from the invitations to the bride’s gown is red.
Traditional Bride’s Gown
Traditional Chinese wedding attire varies greatly, depending on the many ethnic groups. Two popular styles are known as Qi Pao and Cheongsan. Qi Pao translates as “Chinese jacket” and was typically worn by brides whose family originated from the northern regions of China. The loose-fitting one-piece garment, adorned with intricate gold and silver patterns, is the oldest traditional wedding attire. The modern, fitted, two-piece Cheongsan translates as “long dress” and was developed in the 1920s for brides in the Hong Kong region. The gown with slits on both side of the dress is adorned with a dragon and phoenix design, which symbolizes the equal balance of the male and female entities.
Bride’s Headdress Significance
The bride also wore a detailed phoenix crown with elaborate red feathers and pearls adorned into the headdress and a long red veil to hide her face. Traditionally, the veil was to hide the bride from the heavens until she reached her husband safely. Brides and grooms would not see each other’s face until the wedding night.
Traditional Groom’s Gown
The groom’s attire, Da Gua, was less elaborate compared to the bride’s gown. The two-piece garment made of silk consisted of a hip-length, button-front jacket and loose-fitting pants. The outfit was either a dark blue or a black color and embroidered with a dragon motif. Grooms also wore a black headpiece adorned with red tassels.
Wedding Gown Features
Chinese wedding attire is known for its sophisticated design pattern. Rather than embroidering, stamping or printing the patterns onto the fabric, Chinese weavers developed a method of weaving the patterns into the silk fabric. Both the bride and groom wore silk outfits with brocades specifically designed for them. The bride’s attire emphasized the phoenix design of a long-tailed flaming bird, which represented a powerful Empress; while the groom’s attire emphasized a wingless dragon, symbolizing a mighty Emperor. The mythical creatures are embedded in ancient Chinese myths and represent the idea of treating the bride and groom as Empress and Emperor for a day.
Floral Significance
The floral arrangements represented happiness, joy, life and fertility. Many of the flowers and floral arrangement was the significant color of red. White was rarely present in Chinese wedding, however, the bride could have white roses as long as they were tied with a red string. Chrysanthemums and peonies were also present, as they represented wealth and a renewed life. Daffodils were typically used during spring while orchids were by far the most popular flowers since they symbolized love and fertility. They were often used in both the bouquet and corsages.
