There is a tale that goes like this. People of the Zang Nationality in China only wash three times in their life, when they are born, during their wedding and when they leave the world behind. Marriage is clearly important in people's lives.
In China, there are many do's and don'ts concerned with weddings. Many taboos can be noted. Even certain years, months and days can strike terror in the hearts of some people. On such taboo dates, all weddings will cease in order to wait for a better day.
2006 was the Chinese year of the pig and it was considered a good time for weddings and pregnancies. Traditional weddings are still popular among people in Guangzhou. During 2006, all famous restaurants in the city like Guangzhou Restaurant, Lian Xiang Lou and Tao Tao Ju were booked up to one year in advance.
Etiquette exits for wedding ceremonies as well as for the gifts for new couples. According to tradition, all gifts should contain an atmosphere of "happiness," and most of them are red, for red is always associated with good luck and being blessed.
Of course there is a wide variety of choice of gifts for couples such as, gift certificates, baskets of flowers and cash. Different gifts have different meanings.
百年好合茶具 Bai Nian Hao He tea set
[lifeofguangzhou.com]
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In Chinese, Bai Nian Hao He means, love lasts forever. This kind of tea set with beautiful patterns of dragons, phoenixes or flowers includes a plate, a teapot and four cups. The tea set is used to toast the parents of the newly-weds.
子孙桶 Zi Sun barrel
[lifeofguangzhou.com]
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Son and Grandson Barrel. The set of Zi Sun barrel consists of three parts: a basin (Jiao Pan, 脚盆) symbolizing affluence; a close stool (Ma Tong, 马桶) symbolizing children and greater happiness and a bucket (Shum Tong, 水桶) symbolizing diligence and aspiration.
子孙灯 Zi Sun lamp
[lifeofguangzhou.com]
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Son and Grandson lamp. Red lamps always symbolize more children.
筷子 Chopsticks
[lifeofguangzhou.com]
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Chopsticks symbolize having children quickly and a fruitful marriage.
衣食碗 Yi Shi bowl
[lifeofguangzhou.com]
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A set of Yi Shi bowls includes a pair of bowls, a pair of chopsticks, a pair of plates and a pair of spoons that symbolizes having ample food and clothing.
鞋 Shoes
[lifeofguangzhou.com]
Shoe (Xie) has the same pronunciation with the Chinese 谐 (xie). Shoes are always related to everlasting love.
[lifeofguangzhou.com]
All the gifts are from Ya Ting, a delicate shop located in Jingtai Pedestrian Street, of the city's Guangyuan Zhong Lu. The owner of the shop said that, her 80-year-old father had been a professional photographer for weddings since he took up the camera at the age of 13. Now it is the daughter's turn to carry the wedding business on her shoulders.
(Reported by Carrot Chan, Alan Devey. Photographed by Carrot Chan)
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