Chinese wedding tradition is as diverse and complex as China is vast. It has evolved and changed over the ages due to countless regional and cultural influences. However, although there are several modifications and more and more Chinese are choosing modernity, there is still the most popular Chinese wedding tea ceremony. The Han Chinese in the south of the country still practice it.
The Chinese wedding tea ceremony is usually considered when the bride arrives at the groom's home. The bride and groom will meet in front of their parents and closest relatives, and the bride will serve tea for his father-in-law.
The type of tea that can be used during a Chinese wedding tea ceremony usually ranges from OO long tea to jasmine tea. This ceremony takes place on the day of the wedding itself. After the tea was served, the guests (usually the parents first) then gave their approval to the couple, and they responded by giving them red packets. These red packets contain money to wish the couple a happy life.
The meaning of tea
Presumably, tea is served during a Chinese wedding because it is the national drink of China and serving it is a sign of respect. The use of tea is somewhat practical because not everyone can drink alcohol.
During the Chinese wedding tea ceremony, lotus seeds and two red dates are used in the tea for two main reasons. The first reason lies in the fact that the words "lotus" and "year", "seed" and "child" and "date" and "soon" are homophones, that is, they have the same sound but different meanings in Chinese. Second, the ancient Chinese belief that placing lotus seeds and two red dates in tea would help the newlyweds produce children early in the marriage and every year, which would ensure many grandchildren for their parents. Also, the sweetness of the special tea used in the Chinese wedding tea ceremony is a wish for sweet relationships between the bride and her new family.
Serving tea
On the wedding day, the bride serves tea by holding the tea cup in both hands. Tea is served to her parents at home before the groom arrives. According to Chinese belief, this is done out of respect and thanks to the bride's parents for raising her. The tea at this time does not need to have lotus seeds or dates, and the bride does not need to ask the "fortunate woman" for help. She serves tea alone without the groom.
After the wedding ceremony, it is a tradition in China for the newlyweds to serve tea by holding the cups in both hands. This is what the Chinese wedding tea ceremony signals. During this event, the newlyweds invite the older grooms to drink tea by addressing them by their formal title. For example, first uncle and third aunt.
During a Chinese wedding tea ceremony, one general rule is to have the woman on the left and the man on the right. Attendants will sit on chairs while the newlyweds kneel. For example, when they serve tea to the groom's parents, the bride kneels before her father-in-law, while the groom kneels before his mother.
It is also worth noting that the newlyweds serve tea in order. Serving begins with the groom's parents, then proceeds from the oldest family members to the youngest. In return, the newlyweds are greeted with lucky red envelopes that are stuffed with jewelry or money. Helpers, usually women, are those who have blessed a happy marriage or wealth. They are also chosen by the card reader or the mother of the bride, and they are also given red envelopes full of money for good luck. The envelopes are usually placed on the tray that holds the teacups.
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