Key Acanto
Wedding is one of the most celebrated traditions all over the Globe; however, every country seems to have different ways of celebrating it.
Specifically, in Asia where every country has a diversed culture, wedding celebrations seems to be celebrated in different ways. Let’s take a look on the some of the wedding traditions that are distinct in every Asian country.
Malaysian weddings focus on bearing children. The groom must present child-bearing gifts to the bride. The wedding ceremony is rich in Hindu traditions. The bride and groom dressed in brocades sit in state, their hand painted in henna and they feed each other yellow rice. Furthermore, guests usually received artistically decorated hard-boiled eggs that symbolize fertility.
The groom and his band of brothers called as “xiong di dui” have to fetch the bride from her house. But before he can take his bride to the ceremony, he must first surpass the challenges put up by the bridesmaids. The “xiong di dui” will help the groom complete his tasks. There is also what we call the “Feng Cha” or tea ceremony where the couple pays homage to their ancestors with a prayer and then present cups of tea to the groom’s parents and elders.
As a tradition in Korea, the bride must participate in a pre-wedding ceremony or introduction ceremony where the bride is accepted in the groom’s family.
There was an old tradition in Korea where the groom gives wild geese and ducks to his mother-in-law to represent his pure intention and loyalty to his bride. These modern days, it has somehow evolved. The bride and groom exchange wooden geese and ducks which symbolizes their commitment during the wedding day.
Japanese wedding ceremonies are usually held in Shinto Shrines and the bride painted white from head to toe. She also wears a white kimono and intricate head piece. These are to show that the bride is a maiden. This will be by a red kimono in the reception.
During ceremonies, the bride’s "horns of jealousy" she feels towards her mother-in-law is keep hidden in a white hood. As a symbol of becoming husband and wife, the couple drinks sake together.
Chinese wedding ceremonies place heavy importance on the auspicious dates. Before the wedding both parties consult fortune tellers who use Chinese almanacs to analyze the possible outcome of the union. Both families want to ensure the auspicious nature of the match and so the bride and groom's birth dates and hours are consulted to Fortune tellers. During the wedding day, the bride wears a bridal sedan to hide her face.
India is a country known for its rich culture and traditions and it is no surprise that weddings in India are full of rituals and ceremonies. Before the big day, the Mehendi Ceremony commonly held in a bride’s home where brides palms, wrists, arms, legs, and feet are decorated with intricate henna designs.
The wedding ceremony itself is called the Var Mala Ceremony, the bride and groom place flower garlands in each other’s neck. This shows that the bride has accepted the groom as her husband.
Philippines is also a country rich in culture and some of this is reflected in wedding. The country’s best wedding planning businesses incorporate innovation and tradition. Releasing of doves into the air symbolizes long, peaceful, and harmonious life together. Wine toasting signifies life, vitality, love, and a life of plenty and tossing of rice is believed to bring good luck.
