The Six Rites of Duke Zhou refer to the six rituals of ancient weddings, namely accepting gifts, asking for names, offering blessings, offering sacrifices, inviting guests, and welcoming guests. In the past, the Six Rites of Duke Zhou were traditional Chinese wedding rituals, which were the establishment procedures for feudal engagement and marriage. Only by completing these six processes in their entirety could it be called a formal marriage.
Modern Wedding Customs and Etiquette
With the changes of the times, wedding customs are constantly changing and simplifying. Modern wedding customs have been simplified from the six rituals to three steps, including the process of offering gifts, asking for names, and offering blessings as part of the marriage ceremony, and the process of offering gifts and invitations as part of the engagement ceremony. The wedding ceremony is also known as the welcoming ceremony.
1. Propose marriage
When it comes to discussing marriage, matchmakers contact both parents or young men and women. And investigate the age, occupation, zodiac sign, work ability, economic conditions, etc. of both parties, and propose marriage through matchmaking. If it is a free love, it is a ceremony in which the man expresses his sincerity to the woman's family after both parties have expressed their intention to get married.
2. Engagement
Engagement, also known as engagement, according to Chinese customs and habits, there is usually an engagement ceremony before marriage, during which an engagement letter, exchange of gifts, or matchmaker are required. According to current laws in our country, engagement is not a necessary procedure before marriage, and marriages without engagement will not lose their legal validity. Agreement is a contractual act and an identity contract.
3. Wedding
Wedding is a traditional ceremony, equivalent to the legal notarization ceremony of modern weddings. Its significance is to obtain social recognition and blessings, help newlyweds adapt to new social roles and requirements, and prepare to take on social responsibilities.