ENGLISH
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Chinese Wedding Traditions: Picking an Auspicious Wedding Date
OTHERS
To the Chinese, having the right wedding date is key as it plays a great role in the kind of marriage you have. In Chinese cultures, it is traditionally believed that picking an auspicious wedding date is crucial to the couple’s prospects, their families, and the marriage itself. Getting married on an auspicious wedding date is believed to help the groom and bride live in harmony, and everything concerning family matters will be smooth sailing. Even nowadays, many soon-to-be newlyweds still heed the general Chinese wedding traditions, especially when it comes to choosing a good auspicious day to get married in order for both families to feel more at ease.
There are many days that are suitable and considered auspicious for marriage in 2022 and 2023, with 2022 being a leap year and 2023 coinciding with the "double spring and leap month". Double spring happens when there are two occurrences of the beginning of Spring in one Chinese lunar calendar year. According to Chinese tradition, spring symbolises new life and new beginnings, with double spring multiplying the blessings and good luck, making it more suitable for marriage. With 2023 being a leap year, meaning there are 13 months in the lunar calendar of the year, it symbolises the blessings, love, and nourishment between the prospective husband and wife and their married life.
While there are indeed many options for auspicious wedding dates in 2022 and 2023, here are 5 key points to remember when selecting an auspicious date according to Chinese wedding traditions.
Save the Date Photo credit: Hotel ICON
Whether you intend to have a traditional Chinese fortune-teller in helping you to choose an auspicious wedding date or not, conventions are to settle and decide on a certain date without further changing it, as changing the wedding date signifies turbulence and is not recommended. In modern days, Chinese fortune-tellers understand practical concerns and requests the newlyweds may have and are accommodating in offering options of auspicious dates and times for the newlyweds to consider and select from.
Say Yes to Even Numbers
Photo credit: Hotel ICON
Generally, in Chinese wedding traditions, even-numbered months are more popular when it comes to auspicious wedding dates, as even numbers symbolise pairs and amity, which is believed to bring blessings and harmony to the union.
One interesting thing to note is that some people also advise against having a wedding in the month of June, which is the exact opposite to that in Western traditions. Being a “June bride” is considered lucky in Western culture as the month’s namesake Juno is the ancient Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth. On the other hand, as the sixth month of the lunar calendar exactly splits the year in half, it carries the innuendo of separation and that the marriage might not last till the end, so it is traditionally recommended to avoid the lunar month of June as well.
Observe an Interval Between Your Big Day and Other Special Occasions
Photo credit: Hotel ICON
Besides the bride’s and the groom’s birthdays, traditions are to avoid picking wedding dates coinciding with their parents’ birthdays. Some believe having their wedding on their or their parents' birthdays would bring about "double happiness". However, according to traditional Chinese metaphysics, that violates the principle of luck clashing, meaning the person celebrating their birthday will be competing for good fortune against the newlyweds.
According to Chinese traditions, within at least 3 months of a death within the family, people avoid organising or partaking in any celebrations or feasts, including weddings. This is out of respect to the deceased and to avoid the “bad omen” from spoiling the celebratory events, as it is a prominent tradition to not have “red” (celebratory events such as marriage, a birth, significant birthday feasts) and “white” (deaths and funerals) events to be in conflict of each other. While people in other cultures might have nothing against it, the Chinese honour this custom rather strictly.
|
Consider the Auspicious Months
Photo credit: Hotel ICON Be wary of days close to "ghosts” in relation to the Chinese festivals. Generally, couples avoid the lunar months of March, July and September, namely for Qingming Festival and Chongyang Festival, where people traditionally go tomb sweeping and visit their ancestor’s graves, and the Hungry Ghost Festival when the gate of hell is open. Dates within the aforementioned months are considered less popular for weddings according to Chinese traditions.
Double Happiness – and some more
Photo credit: Hotel ICON
It is considered extremely auspicious to have a wedding around the same time as celebratory holidays, for the joviality of the festivities is believed to amplify the luck and blessings of the marriage and the newlyweds. The lunar month of August is a prime example of such times when the Mid-Autumn Festival is. With the biggest and fullest moon of the year symbolising the union of the couple, the lunar month of August is a hugely popular time for couples to hold their weddings. |
Photo credit: Hotel ICON
At Hotel ICON, we care about your big day and help you celebrate with your loved ones. Our experienced wedding specialists equipped with encyclopaedic knowledge on Chinese wedding traditions and all matters of wedding are here to help you make your wedding dreams come true. With our excellent services and exciting offers, Hotel ICON will take the stress of wedding planning off your back, so you can truly enjoy the happiest day of your life.
With all the great auspicious wedding dates in 2022 and 2023, if you and the love of your life are ready to tie the knot, plan the best auspicious day with us at Hotel ICON. Check out our exciting wedding offers and reserve now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
