Nanjing displays ancient marriage, divorce certificates

A marriage certificate from the Minguo era (1912-1949) is on display. The certificate, which was found in Jiangning county in Jiangsu province, has pictures of cupid, auspicious patterns of swallows, round moon, flowers, and also blessing phrases. [Photo/IC]

As the Qixi Festival, often known as the Chinese Valentine's Day, draws closer, Nanjing is exhibiting 80 pieces of old marriage certificates ranging from late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) to 1970s. The oldest one is a marriage certificate from the period of Emperor Xianfeng (1850–1861) in the Qing Dynasty. Besides, divorce certificates and application paper for remarriage are also on display.

The exhibition held at a shopping mall in Xinjiekou district of Nanjing will run through Aug 22.