Pressing the bed, also known as pressing the happy bed or pressing the new bed, is one of the traditional wedding customs in China. It refers to the night before a young man and woman get married, when the groom's family asks an elderly man with both children to make the bed, and then invites one or two younger brothers to sleep with them on the new bed. This is a blessing for the happiness and health of the newlyweds, as well as the meaning of having a baby early.
The conditions and requirements for pressing the bed
1. The person pressing the bed must be a boy and younger than the groom. In some regions, boys aged 4 or 5 are allowed to press the bed. Like boys who press cars or sedan chairs, boys who press the bed represent the hope that the newlyweds can have a precious child early and have the next generation as soon as possible. This has been a traditional custom in China for many years and has continued to this day.
2. It is necessary for unmarried young people to press the bed. If the groom's younger brother is already married, it is not allowed to press the bed.
3. Red envelopes should be given when pressing the bed. After pressing the bed, the bride's family should give each person a red envelope, and the amount should be determined according to local customs.