Hokkien Betrothal Gifts For Traditional Chinese Wedding (Complete List)
In traditional Chinese weddings, the Hokkien Chinese Betrothal Ceremony, or “Guo Da Li” (過大禮), is a significant step that symbolizes the union of two families. This elaborate custom involves the exchange of gifts between the groom’s and bride’s families, signifying respect, gratitude, and best wishes for the newlyweds.
Gift list for traditional Teochew betrothal ceremony
Here we explore the meaning and significance of each gift exchanged during the Hokkien Chinese Wedding Betrothal Ceremony, shedding light on the rich cultural tapestry of this age-old tradition.
Betrothal Money/ Pin Jin (聘金)
Meaning: Expressing gratitude for the bride’s upbringing.
The betrothal money serves as a token of appreciation to the bride’s parents for raising their daughter. It’s a way for the groom’s family to acknowledge the care and love extended by the bride’s family.
Diaper Money Red Packet (離乳禮金/ 洗尿布錢)
Meaning: Expressing gratitude for the bride’s upbringing.
Diaper Money red envelope expresses the groom’s gratitude to the bride’s mother for raising her. It acknowledges the sacrifices and love of the bride’s mother in raising her.
Pork Trotter (豬手)
Meaning: Expressing gratitude for the bride’s upbringing.
Presenting pork trotter is to express gratitude to bride’s mother. Pork trotter represents the love and care given by parents when the bride was young.
Dragon and Phoenix Candles (龍鳳燭)
Meaning: Wishing for a long and harmonious marriage.
These candles are lit during the ceremony and symbolize the couple’s life together. It is crucial that the candles burn without extinguishing before the ceremony concludes, signifying the uninterrupted happiness of the newlyweds.
Traditional Chinese Wedding Pastries (喜餅)
Meaning: Sharing Joy and Happiness
These pastries and cakes represent joy and are often shared with family and friends during the wedding celebration. They signify sweet beginnings for the couple.
A Pair of Chicken
Meaning: Signifying fertility and unity.
Usually one pairs of chickens, including rooster and hen. The chicken represents fertility, harmony and unity.
Gold Jewelry (金鉓)
Meaning: Wishing for a lasting and prosperous marriage.
This set typically includes a necklace, bracelet, earrings, and a gold ring. The bride is expected to wear all the jewelry on her wedding day as a sign of respect.
Fresh Fruits (18 Apples, 18 Oranges)
Meaning: Signifying a fruitful and harmonious life.
Fruits like apples and oranges are presented in the number of 18 to symbolize peace and prosperity. Number 8 has similar pronunciation as prosperity in Hokkien and other regions, so it is considered as lucky number in Chinese culture. Try to avoid giving pears as the pronunciation of pear sounds like separation in Chinese.
Red Eggs (紅雞蛋)
Meaning: Fertility and Blessings
The red color is an auspicious color in Chinese culture and Hokkien likes to give red eggs in joyous occasion like wedding. Red eggs are a symbol of fertility and new beginnings in Hokkien culture and also signify family unity and the hope for a harmonious marriage and prosperous family life.
Hokkien Rice Candy and Peanut Candy (米香, 花生貢糖)
Meaning: Sweetness and Happiness:
These candies are the traditional Hokkien snacks that represent the sweetness and happiness that the newlyweds will share in their married life. The stickiness of rice candy symbolizes the idea of sticking together as a couple and maintaining a strong bond.
Longevity Noodles (面線)
Meaning: Longevity and Blessings
Longevity noodles symbolize a wish for the couple to have a long and healthy life together. They also represent a wish for an unbroken, enduring, and prosperous marriage.
8 Treasures of Dried Fruits and Seeds (八京果)
Meaning: Prosperity and Sweetness
These dried fruits and seeds, including dried lychee, dried longan, lily bulbs, lotus seeds, walnuts, peanuts, red beans and green beans, symbolize prosperity, sweetness, and the growth of their family.
4 Treasures of Candies (四色喜糖)
Meaning: Signifying sweetness and lasting love.
These candies, including dried sliced melon, dried tangerine, dried longan, and rock sugar, symbolize the sweetness and enduring love between the couple.
Tea Leaves and Sesame Seeds (油麻茶禮)
Meaning: Faithfulness and Loyalty
The gift of tea leaves and sesame seeds, known as “油麻茶禮,” signifies the bride’s commitment to the marriage, emphasizing faithfulness and loyalty.
4 Bottles of Wines (洋酒 4枝)
Meaning: Signifying joy and celebration.
Modern interpretations include presenting four bottles of wine, symbolizing a joyful celebration of the union.
Red Strings (紅頭繩)
Meaning: Ensuring blessings and warding off evil spirits.
Red strings are a crucial part of the ceremony. They are believed to bring blessings and protect the couple from evil spirits. The groom keeps one in his pocket, while the bride ties one to her hair. After the wedding, the strings are placed under their pillows for a month before disposal.
Red Banners (红彩两套)
Meaning: Bringing festive colors and joy to the occasion.
Red banners, often bearing auspicious phrases, adorn the wedding venue, adding a touch of festivity and joy to the celebration.
Cypress Leaves (扁柏葉)
Meaning: Representing eternity and vitality.
Cypress leaves are commonly used as decorations during the ceremony. They symbolize eternal life and vitality in the marriage.
Return of Gifts After Hokkien Betrothal Ceremony
In the Hokkien Chinese Wedding tradition, a portion of the gifts is returned to the groom’s family as a sign of gratitude. These gifts include
- Return half of the gifts to groom’s family
- Return a portion of the betrothal money usually lucky amount
- Pants, suits, belt, wallet, shoes, socks
- Towels
- 2 bottles of orange juice
- Rock sugar
- Sugarcane red packet (甘蔗禮金)
- Leading route chicken red packet (帶路雞禮金)
- Parent-in-law red packet
Now that we’ve unveiled the symbolism behind these Hokkien Chinese Betrothal Ceremony gifts, you can appreciate the depth of tradition and cultural significance embedded in every item. The exchange of these gifts not only strengthens the bonds between families but also blesses the newlyweds with a lifetime of happiness and prosperity.
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