Humanities and Social Sciences

2016; 4(4): 123-126

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doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20160404.17
ISSN: 2330-8176 (Print); ISSN: 2330-8184 (Online)

Comparison Between Chinese Traditional Marriage

Customs and American Marriage Customs
Lei Guo1, Lan Wang2
English Department, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, China

Email address:
[email protected] (Lei Guo), [email protected] (Lan Wang)

To cite this article:

Lei Guo, Lan Wang. Comparison Between Chinese Traditional Marriage Customs and American Marriage Customs. Humanities and Social
Sciences. Vol. 4, No. 4, 2016, pp. 123-126. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20160404.17

Received: June 12, 2016; Accepted: June 13, 2016; Published: July 20, 2016

Abstract: Western culture attracts Chinese people’s attention unprecedentedly for China is becoming more open. For the
rapid development of economy, Chinese people need to cooperate with westerners more frequently. It becomes particularly
important for Chinese people to learn more about western countries’ culture in their communication. This paper mainly focuses
on Chinese traditional marriage customs and western countries’ marriage customs especially that of the United States. Though
this paper, different marriage customs will be demonstrated and help people to learn more about them. This paper, based on the
literature survey methods, attempts to show marriage customs of China and the US and analyze the reason of their marriage
forms through contrasting their differences. Through comparative analysis between Chinese traditional marriage customs and
American’s marriage customs, it can be drawn out that traditional culture plays a leading role in them like marriage values and
religion.

Keywords: Marriage Customs, Traditional Culture, Western Culture

make an overall view on some specific details of some

1. Introduction marriage customs.
Custom is an accepted way of behaving or doing things in The group of works which have introduced some Chinese
the long process of human development and a relatively and western marriage customs includes: British and
stable common practice through inheriting culture. Custom American Culture: An Introduction by Zhu Huimin, which
originates from the needs of collective life, from unique covers the marriage customs in the UK and the USA in one
nation, time and region. Custom is from every aspect of chapter; An Introduction to Western Culture by Fan Weirui,
human life and inseparable from human life. Marriage which explores some common customs in western countries;
custom is an important component of social customs. and Appreciate Western Etiquettes by Liu Xinfa and Liu Hao,
Marriage is an important point in one’s life and a symbol which includes some etiquettes about attending a wedding
of coming into the next page of one’s life: forming a nuclear ceremony in western countries.
family and leading an independent life. Different nations Based on above literature, this paper further analyzed the
form different marriage customs under different cultural causes of these two different marriage customs and discussed
background. Though comparison between different marriage the cultural distinctions between these two countries.
customs, different customs could be learned about and This paper consists of five parts. The first part is
different cultural backgrounds could be further displayed. introduction, where the research background, research
Marriage customs have been changing with the purpose and literature review of this paper is explained. The
development of human society and human civilization. This second chapter is comparison between traditional Chinese
paper mainly focuses on the traditional marriage customs in marriage customs and American marriage customs. Chapter
China and America. Many Chinese and western marriage three analyzes the causes of these marriage custom
customs have been studied, while the previous studies are differences. The conclusion part gives some findings about
quite limited and far from comprehensive. It is necessary to Chinese marriage customs and American marriage customs.
124 Lei Guo and Lan Wang: Comparison Between Chinese Traditional Marriage Customs and American Marriage Customs

2. Comparison of Chinese and American good fortune.

Marriage Customs 2.1.6. Wedding Ceremony
On that special day, the bridegroom went to the bride’s
2.1. Traditional Chinese Marriage Customs home to meet and brings her back to his place with much
Chinese marriage became a custom between 402 B. C. and fanfare [9]. The bride is escorted by the bridegroom’s team
221 B. C. Traditionally, marriage in Chinese societies has and some of her relatives to the bridegroom’s place.
been an arrangement between families [9]. Some specific The marriage process involves three bows, also called
rituals came into being with the running heels of history such bow to Heaven and Earth, then to the groom’s parents and
as three letters and six etiquette and three-fold genuflection finally to each other. In the ceremony, the new couple has
with nine kowtows. to stand side by side, making these three bows. The first
bow is to pay homage to Heaven and Earth, and the family
2.1.1. Proposal ancestors; and the second to the groom’s parents with
Proposing is the first ritual of the six traditional Chinese gratitude for their growing up the groom; the third to each
marriage rituals. Generally speaking, it was the matchmaker other, meaning they going to love each other and respect
on behalf of the boy’s family to propose to a girl’s family. each other ever after [9].
When the boy’s parents found a girl whom they think was
proper to be their daughter-in-law, they would send a 2.2. American Marriage Customs
matchmaker to the girl’s family to express their feeling about In term of American’s marriage customs, the history
this match. At this stage, the parents can refuse the marriage. background must be mention first. The United States is a
The process may come to a halt or the proposal be accepted country which was originally populated by Europeans
without objections. especially British. American marriage customs have a lot in
2.1.2. Birthday Assessment common with the British marriage customs. Though
If the girl’s parents did not object this proposal, the American marriage customs change along the development
matchmaker would go to ask the girl’s birth date and hour of with the time and are influenced by its immigrants from other
birth to access if the couple compatible with each other. They countries, most part of the marriage customs remain the same
would call an astrologer to see if the birth dates of the bride with British marriage customs.
and the groom conflict with each other. If there was any sign Falling in love is the most important thing for a couple
of astrological conflicts between the couple, which were before they think about marriage. If the couple of lovers are
thought to bring the relationship to disharmony, the proposed going into marriage, the man should make a proposal by
marriage would be abandoned. If the birth dates of the couple giving an engagement ring to the woman [3]. Unlike Chinese
would not conflict with each other, the marriage process may arranged marriage, American marriage is decided by both of
go to the next phase. the couple. Apparently, the courtship is the first step of the
marriage. Usually the proposal requires some quality and
2.1.3. Betrothal Gifts involves the presenting a ring which symbolizes they get
When the birth dates of the couple were assessed to be engaged. This engagement will last a while before the couple
compatible, the boy’s family would present betrothal gifts by gets married.
the matchmaker to the girl’s family [9]. At this point, the Once a woman and a man decide to go into marriage, they
betrothal letter would also be sent to the bride’s family. The will notice their parents respectively to show their respect. If
right to decide the marriage is up to the girl’s family, so if a wedding date is set, the banns of marriage, commonly
they did not consent to this marriage, they could refuse the known simply as “the banns” are announced. This notice is
gifts and the marriage would be abandoned. If the betrothal usually placed in the local church or registry office [11].
was accepted, usually it would last a period of time before Before a wedding ceremony is held, a couple will send
the wedding day. wedding invitations to their friends and relatives. Upon
receiving a wedding invitation, the guest should inform the
2.1.4. Wedding Gifts couple whether they will come to their wedding.
After accepting the betrothal gifts, the bride’s family When the ceremony is over, the bride and the groom will
would receive the wedding gifts from the bridegroom’s sign the state-issued marriage license in a side room of a
family. Wedding gifts varied widely depending on local church with an officer and two witnesses. That is to say, the
customs and family wealth. Usually, the wedding gifts couple’s marriage gets its validity in the right day of their
include: tea, fruits (oranges, read dates and pomegranates), wedding ceremony.
coconuts, money and some other delicacies.
2.3. Different Aspects of Chinese and American Marriage
2.1.5. Choosing a Wedding Date Customs
After both families consented to this marriage and the
bride’s family received the wedding gifts, they would consult 2.3.1. Wedding Dress and Wedding Tone
an astrologist to choose an auspicious day for the wedding In Chinese weddings, red is the tone of that special day. In
ceremony according to the astrology in order to get some traditional Chinese culture, the wedding dress of the bride is
 Humanities and Social Sciences 2016; 4(4): 123-126 125

red. Today many people wear white wedding gown like 2.3.3. Wedding Gifts
westerners, but other ritual objects and some other bride’s Usually, Chinese wedding guests will bring them with a
wedding clothes are still red. Red symbols auspicious and red packet with money when they attend a wedding. It’s a
prosperous in Chinese culture, so the wedding room is tradition that giving money gifts to the newlywed couple
decorated with red like bright red “happiness” character is when guests attending a wedding.
pasted on the wall, the door and other objects. However, in America, people seldom send money gifts to
Traditionally, the bride born of a rich family would wear a the couple instead of china, silverware, pots and pans, etc.
phoenix coronet and robes of rank on the wedding day. The The couple would often register for gifts at a store well in
groom usually wear red long gown and mandarin jacket with advance of their wedding. This allows them to create a list of
a silk flower on his breast. Brides born of ordinary family household items.
would wear red clothes and a pair of red shoes.
In America and other western countries, white is the tone
of weddings. Brides usually wear a white dress to symbolize 3. Analysis on the Cause of the
purity. They may also choose to wear off-white, silver or very Differences Between Chinese and
light-colored dress at their fist marriage. A white face veil American Marriage Customs
symbolizing virginity is often worn with the white wedding
dress which was used to confuse the spirits who may destroy From the comparison of Chinese and American marriage
the wedding with jealousy. There are no strict requirements customs, it can be seen that cultural background has a great
for the groom’s clothes. The groom usually wears a formal influence on the marriage customs. Culture, in a wide sense,
suit with a bow tie. is the sum total of material and spiritual products created by
In American and other western culture, red is a sign of man in the historical process of a social practice. In a narrow
blood and violence, while white is always related to death in sense, it refers to a social ideology and the political system
Chinese culture. Different color of wedding dress also and constitutional organization corresponding to the ideology.
reflects the different aesthetic values of Chinese and From the cultural perspective, Chinese and Americans
Americans. differences in attitudes towards marriage and religion are the
two main causes of these differences. Traditional Chinese
2.3.2. Wedding Reception marriage customs and Chinese attitudes towards marriage are
Wedding reception is very important in both Chinese and more influenced by traditional Chinese culture like
American wedding marriage customs. Chinese and American Confucianism, while American marriage custom and their
wedding reception shares both similarities and differences. In attitudes are more influenced by religion.
the wedding reception, the newly-wed couple needs to toast
to their friends and relatives to show their thanks and the 3.1. Attitudes Towards Marriage
friends and relatives toast back to the couple to send their
best wishes. Marriage customs reflect people’s different attitudes
In traditional Chinese culture, the wedding reception often toward marriage. These attitudes are connected with some
takes place in an open space like a courtyard. All neighbors, philosophical reasons and historical reasons.
friends and relatives sit around tables. Before the meal is Confucianism is the cornerstone of traditional Chinese
begun, there is always much fanfare with firecrackers and culture. It has dominated the feudal society and even today’s
beating of songs and drums. The wedding reception is full of China for about 2,000 years. Its influence over Chinese
happy laughter and cheerful voices. People express their attitudes towards marriage cannot be ignored. Confucius
wishes for the couple when they toast to everybody who aimed to discipline oneself and revive the ethics of Zhou
presents in their wedding reception. dynasty, so he put forward a series of norms. Some basic
In American, the wedding reception consists of a meal Confucian doctrines are human beings are teachable, men
with many drinks like champagne, numerous toasts, cutting should pay filial piety to their parents and brothers, and
the wedding cake by the bride and the groom. The newly people should show obedience and respect to authority. The
weds, their parents and wedding entourage will greet the last two doctrines exert great influence on Chinese people’s
guests [3]. Before the meal, the best man will make a toast to attitudes to family and marriage.
the couple, talking about their happiness and send wishes to Chinese culture emphasizes family as a pillar of the social
the couple. Other friends may also make toasts to the couple. stability. Young couples’ uniting to a family stabilizes the
After the meal, the bride and groom will cut the wedding society and the intention of the marriage has two main
cake together symbolizing that they working together during reasons: getting offspring and getting benefits for the family
their marriage. A dance follows the meal and cake and in traditional Chinese culture. Most Chinese marriage is
usually it stars with the newlyweds. And then others may join well-matched in socioeconomic position. One of the most
the dance party. Just before the bride leaves the reception, she important things to consider consenting to a marriage for
will throw a bouquet over her shoulder to the unmarried girls parents is to check these two families are of similar
and the one who catches it is thought to be the next one to backgrounds. Many marriages in the past were arranged by
marry. parents and matchmakers.
After getting married, husbands and wives hold different
126 Lei Guo and Lan Wang: Comparison Between Chinese Traditional Marriage Customs and American Marriage Customs

attitudes towards each other. Confucianism defines for the The reason why traditional Chinese marriage customs is
society the renowned Five Relationships: ruler-minister, compared with American marriage customs is that China has
father-son, husband-wife, elder-and-younger-brother, and learned many from western marriage customs, and it is very
friend-friend. Usually, husband holds a dominant position in common to see many western elements in present Chinese
a family. marriage. Traditional Chinese marriage customs are more
From the point view of westerners, marriage also has two representative comparing with those marriage customs
intentions: one is to give a good result of their love, and the integrating with western marriage customs.
other is to find a life-long partner so as to be fulfilled This paper displays many differences in traditional
physiologically and psychologically [6]. If love does not Chinese marriage customs and American marriage customs,
exist between two people, they will not consider getting which can help more people to learn about American
married. Love is priority in a marriage in American culture. marriage when people communicate and trade with
American couples enjoy equal position in their families Americans more frequently.
rather than a state of subordination and domination. A couple This paper also tries to point out some reasons of these
shares their family responsibility together: earning money, differences from the perspective of the causes of the different
doing housework and raising their children together. attitudes towards marriage of Chinese and Americans, the
Americans pay more attention to their individuality and philosophical analysis of traditional Chinese marriage
they admire a marriage which is led from love instead of customs and the Americans’ religious influence over their
family interests. marriage customs.
Due to the limitation knowledge of the author, there are
3.2. Religion still many defects in this paper, and further analysis need to
The Strictly speaking, Confucianism is not a religion. be done in the future.
Confucius influence on traditional Chinese marriage customs
has explained in the above analysis. Traditional Chinese
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