The Six Rites are all the ceremonial processes that ancient Chinese people experienced from engagement to marriage. It is divided into six parts: Natsumi, Inquire, Naji, Natsumi, and Invitation and Reception.
Natsumi: Natsumi is the first of the six rituals. The current common meaning mainly refers to a man who is waiting to get married. The man's family entrusts a matchmaker to find a suitable woman as the marriage partner, and brings gifts to the woman's family to propose marriage and ask for gifts. After the consent of the woman and her family, the "selection ceremony" shall be performed. It is to offer a lucky and auspicious gift to the bride's family as a proposal.
Question Name: Question Name is the second ritual of the Six Rites. It mainly refers to the man bringing the woman's name and birth date back to the man's home after the woman accepts the proposal of marriage, and predicting good or bad luck. In the stage of asking for the woman's surname, there are two main tasks to be done. Firstly, to understand the woman's surname. In ancient times, it was emphasized that "people with the same surname should not marry". Asking the woman's surname is to avoid such accidents. Secondly, obtain the birthdates of both the male and female partners to prepare for the next "Naji" ceremony.
Najib: Najib is the third of the six rites. The main purpose is to check whether the birthdates and eight characters of men and women are suitable for marriage before the ancestral altar. If not, take timely action. If the eight characters of both parties match, the auspicious wedding date will be determined based on the eight characters.
Nazheng: Nazheng is the fourth ritual among the six rituals. Refers to the man inviting several women who can be called "fully blessed people" to deliver the marriage letter and gift letter to the woman. The female family needs to reciprocate in this stage.
Request period: Request period is the fifth of the six rituals. It is about the man selecting a wedding date and informing the woman of the date to seek her consent.
Qinying: Qinying is the sixth ritual of the six rituals. Refers to the groom formally going to the bride's house to marry her. After the wedding is over, the six rituals are considered complete.