Chinese Weddings Guide

A traditional wedding in China resolves around foods. There is typically no formal ceremony where the bride and groom become betrothed but after a big lunch (sometimes a dinner) they’re married. Meals in China, and particularly Conventional Wedding foods in China, are laden with symbolism and so the option of dishes laid on for the guests says a great deal about the couple, their families and their prospects. Here are some well-liked dishes with their meanings explained:

Chicken and prawns (or lobster): These two flavours do not mix well but separate dishes are likely to contain the two ingredients: chicken representing the phoenix or female portion, prawn or lobster as the dragon or male part.
Dates with chestnuts (or lychees): the pronunciation sounds very a lot like the phrase ‘soon have sons’. A well-liked wish and perhaps a little pressure on the bride from the grooms parents.
Duck: Wild ducks pair for life and so serving duck at a wedding symbolises marital fidelity. It would be extremely strange not to serve duck in some form or other.
Fish: The word for fish sounds really significantly like that for prosperity. Since it will generally be hoped that the couple, and their offspring, will prosper fish will be served. This can be traditionally left until last. The fish head should point to probably the most honoured guest at every single table, and towards bride and groom at theirs.
Pomegranates: these are supposed to contain exactly羚 seeds – no much more, no less – and are pretty very much the ultimate symbol of fertility.
Seeds: these represent fertility, really blatantly. Probably the most preferred seeds to serve are watermelon seeds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
You will already have gathered that a great deal of the symbolism is related to the wish for kids, particularly sons. This follows on from the ancient teachings finest known to us in the west via the teachings of Confucius; a man needs sons to perform the proper rites at his funeral. Throughout history, sons are already well-known. Now, with the 1 Child Policy in place, traditionally minded men are bordering on desperate for their offspring to become from the desired gender.

I happen to be lucky enough to attend several classic weddings in China, including my own. The foods has always been outstanding and if you are lucky enough to get an invitation, tend not to hesitate for a minute. It is possible to expect to see all in the above and much a lot more besides. Your part as a guest is to be seen to eat heartily and to enjoy yourself.

Giving presents is not normal. Most guests will give a hong bao as they arrive. This is a red envelope decorated with special good luck characters and with a cash donation towards costs inside. The notes ought to be crisp and clean, and of an auspicious amount. Check with other guests to come across out what is appropriate. Amounts are generally recorded to ensure that the bride and groom can reciprocate if they go to a guests wedding later. As well significantly or as well little causes a loss of face a single way or the other.

Ian Ford has lived in China for most in the last 7 years. He has prepared a food guide, Eating Out in China, with background information to Chinese meals, over 60 recommended dishes and handy reference sheets. The sheets show every single dish in English, pinyin and Chinese characters and are for you to take on your travels. Order these dishes, and variations, with ease.