December 1954 School Magazine

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

December. 1954

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

December. 1954

unsmiling bride be-side him. A smile from her would cost her husband two extra dinners for the guests . She is subject to, and has to bear with all solemnity, any jokes made at her expense . From these few features which a Chine-se wedding en- tails , I think that it all amounts to the fact that it is hardly worth it on the part of the bride , whilst everything runs in favour of he groom .

A CHINESE WEDDING

By this decade it is common knowledge that the Chinese of old married by arrangement . This unsatisfactory state of affairs has petered out through the ages, and the individual is now able to marry someone very much of his or her own choice. Although most couples adopt the Western marriage ceremony nowadays, there are still the select few who pre- fer the pomp and circumstance of ,a proper Chinese wedding . On the morning of the appointed day, the bride is wak- ened at four o'clock and is dressed by her ladies-in-waiting in a simple robe . If she does not happen to posses-s long tresses of hair, a wig is hired for the purpose. She then pro- ceeds to the altar, which is -set up in the hall of her home . She kneels before the altar with her face turned towards it and pledges her loyalty to her husband. Meanwhile, the groom goes through the same procedure in his home , but he has his back to the altar . This indicates that he, on the other hand , does not promise to be faithful to his wife all his life . Then the groom makes his way to the home of his bride and there the couple pay their respects to their parents and relatives by offering them tiny cups of tea. Red packets containing money are given to the betrothed couple , to en - sure prosperity in their married life by the receiver-s of the cups of tea . During the day, the bride dons a beautiful and richly embroidered gown and her hair is piled on top of her head . Then she has to suffer the agony of wearing a jewelled crown which weighs approximately ten pounds . The whole of the day is heralded by different bands and orchestra-s. Relatives and friends arrive in an unending pro- cession to bestow their blessings on the happy pair. The bride is not allowed to show ,any semblance of happiness be - cause ·she will be leaving her home and her beloved parents and this causes pain and sorrow. By weeping she shows her appreciation of her parents . The unfortunate bride ha-s to keep up this serious appearance right through to the evening when a great feast is held. The bride and groom receive the guests as they arrive. The first thing one notices is the grin of the groom which spreads from 'ear to ear ' in contrast to that of his 40

Tan Joo Een, VI.

"CHESS"

A. TABKE, VA.

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