Rose Wedding
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2013-07-05
The rose wedding is a traditional folk custom in Suzhou's Zhouzhuang that imitates the traditional wedding ceremony of the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China periods, while incorporating local heritage.
First, the bride changes clothes in Zhangting or Shenting. Led by the arm by matrons of honor, she takes a boat escorting her to the groom's home, to the accompaniment of cymbals and drums from the boat, wearing a rose-tinted cape, red gown and embroidered shoes. The bridegroom, wearing a Chinese-styled robe, mandarin jacket and dress hat, raises his head and looks forward to the bride in the nearby Shenting. The escorting boat rows by fast.
The Zou San Qiao (walk through three bridges) is a traditional ceremony in weddings of Zhouzhuang. It is also a necessity for banquets of the rose wedding. Under the direction of the cymbal and drum band, the newly-weds will hold hands, clustered round by relatives and friends, and walk through the Shuangqiao Bridge (twin bridge), signifying that the couple will pair off and live together till they're old and gray, the Taiping Bridge, signifying peace, good luck, and everything they wish, and the Fu'an Bridge, signifying wealth, safety and success.
The wedding ceremony and send-off to the bridal chamber ceremony at the Songmao Hall of Shenting are the climax of the rose wedding. At the wedding night, the bridegroom unveils the red covering from the head of the bride. The couple will feel out auspicious eggs, candies, jujubes and lotuses from quilts on the bed. The bride's maid will bless the couple with eternal love in their lives.
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