The dowry is one of the ancient Chinese wedding customs, also known as the betrothal gift, engagement gift, or engagement of wealth. When the marriage agreement is initially reached, the groom's family will engage the groom in the name of the groom and give the bride an item symbolizing joy and happiness, to show the groom's feelings and also to express his determination to marry the bride.
Giving a dowry to the bride is also a way of thanking her parents for raising her to adulthood. Therefore, the original meaning of the dowry is gratitude and determination. The preparation of dowries requires prior consultation between both the male and female families. After consultation, it is common for the male party to deliver the dowries to the female party during the engagement. In some regions, there is no custom of engagement, so it is necessary to choose a auspicious day before marriage and deliver the dowry to the bride's home.
The dowry in marriage, as a sum of money that needs to be paid to welcome the other party, symbolizes the man's feelings, but at the same time, it should also take into account his family situation and ability. The specific amount depends on local customs and is determined through negotiation between the two families.