Category: Chinese customs

Chinese Wedding invitations are almost always red and stuffed inside a red envelope that is wider and longer than hongbao (red envelopes filled with money).

Most Chinese weddings include Chinese wedding favors which are given to guests upon arrival or departure from the wedding banquet. Most Chinese wedding favors include business card-sized or wallet-sized wedding photos of the bride and groom.

Chinese wedding ceremonies are special affairs. Most couples are officially married with a simple ceremony at a local city hall. Religious Chinese may opt to exchange vows at a religious ceremony. However, the Chinese wedding reception is the portion of the Chinese wedding that family and friends attend. The Chinese wedding reception is traditionally paid for by the groom’s family.

Most Chinese Wedding Decorations are supplied by the banquet hall or hotel reception hall. Present at nearly all Chinese weddings is the character for happiness 喜 (xǐ):. It is often hung upside down because the Chinese word 倒 (dào, upside down) sounds the same as 到 (dào, arrive). Therefore, it symbolizes the arrival of happiness.

While giving a gift is much appreciated and it’s the thought that counts, there are some gifts that are absolute no-nos in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Avoid these Chinese gift-giving blunders.

In the past, engagements were arranged by parents and matchmakers. The engagement consisted of 'six courtesies'. The six courtesies were: a marriage proposal, asking for names, praying for good fortune, sending betrothal gifts, sending invitations, and welcoming the bride.

It is a Chinese taboo to share stories about death and dying and ghost stories during special occasions and holidays.

Since good things are believed to come in pairs, gifts given in pairs (except four) are best. When preparing the gift, do not wrap it in white as that color represents sorrow and poverty.

Young children should not eat chicken feet as it is believed they might not be able to write well when they start school. They may also be prone to get in fights like roosters.

Shopkeepers may opt not to read a book at work because book (書, shū) sounds like lose (輸, shū). Shopkeepers who read may be afraid their businesses will suffer losses.