One always knows when a wedding is occurring in one of the many larger restaurants here. When a wedding is occurring a great, red, blow-up arch is raised adorned with a cock and a dragon, each representing prosperity and fertility for the new couple. If you should happen to pass by at the consummation of the gathering you would be privileged to hear the cacophony of many drummers celebrating the marriage as well. For the first time I was honored to be invited to a Chinese wedding and got to see the celebration from the inside. Upon entering the restaurant through the drumming , I beheld an array of round tables (typical to Chinese restaurants) along with a long runway set in the center of the restaurant jointing a pagoda full of beautiful roses and a large stage where the ceremony took place.
After taking our seats at our assigned table, a team of female drummers, clad in sexy red outfits, took the stage and performed. As they danced and drummed, a bubble machine exhumed multitudinous bubbles over the stage. Meanwhile, the drums themselves had been covered with some kind of light white substance that flew off the drums and covered the stage as the girls pounded out their song in joyous celebration. After two drumming numbers an MC took the stage. As he spoke, I noticed the screen not far from where I stood displayed a slide show with photos of the happy couple.
Once the MC finished his speech the couple marched down the aisle. The bride was dressed in a beautiful western-style white gown (contrary to Chinese tradition). The groom was dressed in a smart black suit. The ceremony was short and involved the bride holding a large object that resembled a rattle. I was told this object was candy and was meant to represent the bride and groom’s love since childhood (although the couple had in fact only known each other for one year). The parents, who had accompanied the couple down the aisle western- style, also spoke after the couple said their vows.
After the ceremony the bride changed into a red gown (which is more traditional in China). She, her new husband, and the bride’s parents went around to each table and poured bai-jiu (Chinese wine) to all the guests. In contrast to western weddings the guest ate and drank throughout the ceremony.
As far as the colors of Chinese weddings go, I asked my students about the negative connotation of white as the color of death in China. Red, in contrast, is considered a color of good luck. My young students assured me that no one cared too much these days about white meaning death; however, my boss (who is one year younger than I), said she cannot accept white as a color for marriage and asserted with certainty that it had a bad meaning. I suppose this is a classic example of the generation gap here.
That’s all for. Perhaps this will be my last formal letter as I go home in just 3 months, although one never can tell what new or unexpected adventure will arise.
Cheers,
Sasha
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