The rod that lifts the lid is called a weighing rod, also known as a joy scale. In ancient times, the tools for lifting the lid were usually a weighing rod and a jade ruyi. Jade ruyi was usually used by wealthy people, while ordinary households used a weighing rod to lift the lid. Both Yu Ruyi and the weighing scale have the meaning of 'satisfactory'.
The etiquette of lifting the lid
1. The bride's veil must be lifted by the groom
It is best for the bride's veil to be lifted by the groom. When the groom lifts the veil, there is a saying that he recognizes his husband, so others cannot replace him. Otherwise, it is disrespectful and not valued towards the bride.
It cannot be lifted by the bride herself. On the wedding day, the groom lifting the veil is a recognition of the bride, indicating that the two are husband and wife. If the bride lifts it herself, she will not feel the groom's sincerity and it is also unlucky.
2. The taboo to uncover the wedding veil halfway through is to do so
The bride's veil cannot be lifted halfway, and there is a saying that once the veil is lifted, disaster will inevitably arise. That is to say, from the time the bride puts on the red veil, it can only be lifted after the newlyweds have completed the ceremony, and lifting it halfway is considered unlucky.
3. Lifting the lid cannot be done by hand
When the groom lifts the veil, he cannot use his hands. Instead, he should use auspicious objects such as jade ruyi or a weighing rod (also known as a happiness scale) to lift the bride's veil, symbolizing a happy marriage and life.