The Comparison of Wedding Cultures

Between China and Western Countries

 

Abstract

 

Wedding, a romantic and sweet word, is the gate of new couples. It is also the ceremony of establishing relationship between husband and wife in the public. Historically, marriage is of great importance to anybody. Therefore, in each kind of social culture, there is the custom of the wedding. A wedding is a new start of family life, from which husband and wife should encourage and support each other. All good wishes are precious. Of course a variety of wedding ceremony is following those wishes. As part of the culture, wedding is one of the most important ceremonies in life. The difference of Chinese and western wedding ceremonies and customs embody Chinese and western cultural differences.

A wedding is the beginning of a marriage. It is an important part of a country’s culture. Along with the advance of society and the impact of globalization, marriage culture of all countries is constantly changing. Along with a blend of Chinese and western cultures, economic and communicational globalization, there are more and more couples of different nationalities, which contributes to the blend of Chinese and western marriage customs. Of course, there are many conflicts in cross-cultural communication subsequently. Only through further studying each national culture can the conflicts be softened.

The thesis mainly analyzes the Chinese and western wedding differences and the reasons, making readers have deeper understanding of Chinese and western wedding customs. Studying Chinese and western wedding culture aims to understand the cultural similarities and differences between the two, to facilitate the exchange and communication between China and the west, to facilitate the development of Chinese culture to the world, which contributes to less conflicts and more harmonies in intercultural communication. Therefore, to construct a harmonious China and a harmonious world, studying Chinese and western wedding culture is of great significance. 

 

Key words: Wedding culture; Difference comparison;

Wedding customs; Intercourse and communication  

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                                                                 中西方婚礼文化的比较

    摘           要

婚礼，一个浪漫而温馨的名词，它是情侣步入婚姻的大门，也是在公开的场合将丈夫和妻子之间的关系确定下来的仪式。从古至今，婚姻对于任何人都是至关重要的。因此，在每一种社会文化中，都有举办婚礼的习俗。婚礼是家庭生活的开始，从此夫妻之间要相互鼓励，搀扶。各种美好的祝福显得更加珍贵。随着祝福而来的就是各种各样的婚礼。婚礼作为文化的一部分，是人生中最重要的仪式之一。中西方婚礼的仪式和习俗的差异，深刻地折射出中西方文化的不同。

婚姻开始于婚礼，婚礼是每个国家文化的重要组成部分。随着社会的不断进步和全球化的影响，各个国家和民族的婚姻文化在不断地发生变化。随着中西方文化的交融，经济和交流的全球化，越来越多的不同国籍民族的男女结为夫妇，使中西方婚俗进行了混合。当然随之而来的也有跨文化交际导致的冲突。这种冲突只有通过对对方民族的文化有了一定的研究之后才能有所缓解。

本论文通过对中西方婚礼文化的异同点，以及造成差异的原因进行分析，使读者对于中西方的不同婚礼习俗有了更深的了解。研究中西方婚礼文化的目的在于了解两者之间的文化异同，以利于中西方之间的交流和沟通，以利于我国文化的发展走向世界，让跨文化之间的交流少一点冲突多一些和谐，这对于构建和谐中国和和谐世界都有重大的意义。

 

关键词：婚礼文化; 差异比较; 婚礼习俗; 交流沟通

 

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                                                                    CONTENTS

Abstract 1

摘  要... 2

Introduction. 5

1 Introduction of Chinese Marriage. 6

1.1 The Origin of Chinese Marriage. 6

1.2 The Development of Chinese Marriage. 7

1.3 The Development Tendency of Chinese Marriage. 7

2 Introduction of Western Marriage. 8

2.1 The Origin of Western Marriage. 8

2.2 The Development of Western Marriage. 8

3 The Similarities of Chinese and Western Marriage and Significance. 9

3.1 The Similarities between Throwing an Embroidered Ball of Ancient China and Throwing Flower in Western Wedding. 9

3.2 There Is Only a Wedding Host in Chinese and Western Wedding. 9

3.3 Exchange the Rings in the Wedding. 9

3.4 The Number of Bridesmaid and Groomsman Is Same. 9

3.5 A Dinner in Honor of Relatives and Friends. 10

3.6 Honeymoon. 10

4 The Differences of Chinese and Western Marriage. 10

4.1 Engagement 10

4.2 Wedding Location. 11

4.3 Wedding Costume and Color 11

4.4 Wedding Ceremony. 12

4.5 Wedding Music……………………………………………...……………………………….12

4.6 Wedding Host’s Function. 13

4.7 Wedding Invitation. 13

5 The Reasons of the Differences. 14

5.1 The Effect of Education Tradition………………………………...…………………………14

5.2 The Effect of Different Characters. 15

5.3 The Effect of Different Religion Belief 15

5.4 The Effect of Different Regions. 15

5.5 The Effect of Different Ways of Thinking. 16

6 The Cultural Combination of Chinese and Western Marriage. 16

6.1 Chinese Weddings Become Western Style. 16

6.2 Western Weddings Become Chinese Style. 17

Conclusion. 18

Bibliography. 19

Acknowledgements. 20

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                                                                     Introduction

 

Marriage is a kind of cultural phenomenon, an important part of national culture as well as one of the systems of human society. Of all ages, marriage is of great importance to anybody. Wedding is the ceremony to establish the marital relationship in the public. Therefore, in each kind of social culture, there is the custom of the wedding.

Marriage is the most important matter in women’s life. Marriage is a very important part in one’s life. Different countries have different wedding ceremonies because of the culture difference. On one hand, western wedding ceremony is terrific and romantic while Chinese wedding ceremony is traditional and special. On the other side, western wedding is simple while Chinese wedding is complex. No matter you choose the Chinese style or the western style, you should marry the one you love best, and then you can enjoy a beautiful life.

Marriage as a human institution exists in so many civilizations that weddings have naturally become an important part in people’s life. It is full of happiness and deep love in each wedding, and weddings make girls becoming the unique and most beautiful person in the world on that day. However, different countries have different wedding forms because of diverse culture. Western and Chinese weddings have lots of distinctions in the wedding style, wedding customs and wedding dressings.

As the development of the society, globalization is involved into every aspect of life, especially the culture. Along with the development of the era, communication between countries increases frequently, people of all countries pay more attention to the marriage. Despite the huge marriage difference, multinational couples increase dramatically due to the Chinese and western culture fusion, consequently lead to more cross-cultural conflicts. The contradiction can only be relieved by further studying each other’s culture. Marriage is the human eternal topic. Historically, Chinese and western countries have some differences due to the huge regional differences, the different customs and habits.

Although the economic globalization develops, marriage culture is constantly changing; a lot of Chinese and western marriage customs are mixed. Due to the difference between Chinese and western culture, those rituals and customs in the wedding also gradually change a lot. However, there are still many irreplaceable differences between Chinese and western marriage. Those wedding differences show the different Chinese and western cultures.

China has a bright and long history of 5,000 years, which is obvious around the world. And western wedding culture is also changing along with the progress of the society. Nowadays, there are popular Chinese style wedding in western countries and western style wedding in China, which shows that the wedding form is constantly changing. These changes embody the wedding culture is rich. There is no doubt that the collision and blend between Chinese and western culture boosts the economic cooperation between countries. Without the cultural conflicts, the politic will also become relatively stable.  

 This thesis will have a glimpse of the differences of wedding culture between China and western countries. Countries around the world own different wedding traditions. So, we should have a better understanding of other and our own culture by comparing the differences of them. Studying the Chinese and western wedding culture helps to study the culture between countries and reduce the multinational conflicts and contradictions. It is beneficial to exchange opinions and communication between countries as well as beneficial to the development of China’s culture. Through the research on the wedding culture differences at home and abroad, people know more about the similarities and differences between China and western culture and prepare for their own development.

 

 

 

1 Introduction of Chinese Marriage

1.1 The Origin of Chinese Marriage

It is said that the earliest Chinese marriage dated back to Fuxi and Nvwa’s marriage. In ancient times, there were many floods. Almost all people in the world including animals had drowned, only Fuxi and Nvwa survived. The God asked them to marry and procreate children. But they thought that they were brother and sister, and they refused to promise. But if they didn’t promise, human beings would be extinct. Later, they put forward many ridiculous problems. If the God could solve those problems, they would promise to marry. However ridiculous those problems were, the God solved them finally. They had no choice to marry and procreate the generations.

Later, in primitive society, human lived together; people’s sexual relationship was in a state of chaos for a long period of time. In an age of prevalent superstition, in order to obtain the belief in gods, people tried to get them from certain rituals, such as “wedding”. Gradually, a complete set of marriage etiquette formed in the Zhou dynasty. There were detailed rules and regulations in “Yili”, a whole set of rituals. Since then, six rituals set a template for the Chinese traditional wedding. The contents of all marriages change constantly, but they are all around the topic” three letters and six etiquettes”.

 

1.2 The Development of Chinese Marriage

In thousands of years, great changes have taken place in Chinese wedding. In ancient times, Chinese marriage became a custom between 402 and 221 BC. Despite China’s long history and many different geographical areas, there were essentially six rituals, generally known as the three letters and six etiquettes. In terms of six etiquettes, there are proposals, birthday matching, presenting betrothal gifts, wedding gifts, arranging the wedding, wedding ceremony. After the New Culture Movement, the Revolution of 1911, especially the founding of new China, China’s wedding was influenced by the western culture. Traditional elements of Chinese marriage are disappearing ^[1]. In the late 19^th century early 20^th century, the wedding became western style, combing Chinese and western wedding culture. In the 50s last century, people’s living standard were improved. Wedding is of great importance to most families. In addition to preparing the wedding place, people had to prepare more. After the reform and opening up, Chinese wedding has experienced decades of changes. In addition to the powerful impact of western culture, traditional wedding etiquette is desalting, with a less complex process. A lot of young people are fond of a combination of Chinese and western wedding. They are particular about romanticism, fashion and luxury. They pursue free love instead of a marriage through a matchmaker.

    In terms of modern Chinese wedding, new couples go to the local government for marriage registration without a lot of programs. But the banquet would be very big. Photography is a key part in modern Chinese wedding.

 

1.3 The Development Tendency of Chinese Marriage

With the development of the society, the wedding steps gradually tend to simplify. Many couples keep pace with the times, choosing the more modern wedding, but the premise steps remain unchanged. What’s more, in recent years, traditional Chinese marriage shows a recovery tendency. Or many couples choose to travel in marriage，enjoying their two people world.

In addition, the Chinese marriage concept shows an open trend. There are more and more multinational couples. It is reported in Xin Hua Website, in 2006, China’s multinational marriage accounted for 5% of all marriages ^[2]. That is to say, each year about more than forty thousand foreigners get married with Chinese young men and women. China’s multinational marriage will continue to increase in the future.

        

 

 

2 Introduction of Western Marriage

2.1 The Origin of Western Marriage

   Western marriage traditions date back to Ancient Greece and Rome, where marriage was much more of a legal contract than a romantic endeavor. Marriage was an important part of Ancient Greek and Roman culture, possibly dating back to 8,000 BC. Instead of taking place between a man and woman, the marriage was actually a contract between two men: the groom and the bride’s father. That is, marriage was not a mere personal matter concerning only husband and wife, but rather the business of their two families which brought them together. Women had no choice about whether they would marry or who would become their husband, and they may not even have laid eyes on the groom before the wedding day ^[3]. Thus, the wedding expert Danielle Andrews Sunkel says,” There is nothing romantic behind our western wedding traditions. Most traditions date back to the bride capture and allude to the transfer of property- the bride- from one owner to another.”

 

2.2 The Development of Western Marriage

Throughout western history, marriage has existed as an important social contract and cultural event. However, weddings and the institution of marriage have changed dramatically since ancient times, around in1076 CE when laws began to affect how a marriage was performed. These laws meant that women were no longer allowed to be bartered, sold, or exchanged for goods of any kind. Elizabethan wedding are the start of modern wedding traditions. During the Elizabethan era, most marriages were still arranged. Prior to the wedding, the groom accepted the bride’s dowry. A dowry wasn’t necessary money. It was also land or goods. Marriage in American colonial times, from about 1620 to the late 1700s, women were even shipped to the colonies and sold to the highest bidder. Marriages were still more business arrangements than loving relationships ^[4].^. In Victorian times, this was a very important and exciting time. New clothes and accessories would be purchased so she would look her best and impress anybody. After Victoria wore a white dress to her wedding, brides in England and America began to take up this trend. It is the day that started the white wedding dress. Nowadays, although today’s couples can choose whom they will marry and have unlimited options when it comes to their ceremony, modern weddings still have their roots in western weddings of the past. If you exchange rings or wear a veil, you are living those traditions in today’s modern world.

3 The Similarities of Chinese and Western Marriage and Significance

    Almost every culture has rituals to signal a change in one’s life. Marriage is one of the most basic life changes for people of all cultures. So it’s no surprise to find many similarities traditions about getting married.

3.1 The Similarities between Throwing an Embroidered Ball of Ancient China

      and Throwing Flower in Western Wedding

In the wedding, no matter in China or in western countries, the bride will throw flowers. In ancient China, the bride threw an embroidered ball while the bride threw flowers in western countries. The person who receives the flowers means that he’s the next one to get married.

 

3.2 There Is Only a Wedding Host in Chinese and Western Wedding  

A wedding host plays a very important role in the wedding. We usually compare the host to a line, and the wedding processes like many pearls. Through the host, all the processes are connected.

3.3 Exchange the Rings in the Wedding  

Exchanging rings is the culmination of the whole wedding. Ring is a symbol of love. A round ring means that marriage has no end. It is sacred to exchange rings with your spouse in the wedding.

3.4 The Number of Bridesmaid and Groomsman Is Same

We often see the bride and groom have pairs of partners around them. They are the groomsman and bridesmaid, an indispensable part in the wedding. They must be isometric. ^[5]In addition to accompanying and representing the new couple, they need to pay attention to their image and need.

 

3.5 A Dinner in Honor of Relatives and Friends

No matter which country, it is common to hold a wedding feast after the wedding ceremony. They are very generous at the invitation of their arrival.

  

3.6 Honeymoon

In western culture, the custom of a newlywed couple going on a holiday together originated in early 19^th century Great Britain, a concept borrowed from the Indian elite. In China, honeymoon is also popular. However, in the 21^st century, many couples will not leave until 1-3 days after the ceremony in order to tie up loose ends with the reception venue or visit with guests from the reception.

 

4 The Differences of Chinese and Western Marriage

“Custom is the great guide of human life”, wrote Scottish philosopher David Hume. Knowing the customs of a country is a guide to understand to the soul of that country and its people. People express their culture through traditions in food, clothing, recreation, ceremonies and so on. As a result, we will talk about the differences from some aspects.

 

4.1 Engagement

No matter which part of the country, there are usually engagements before getting married. In China, before getting married, young people have to pay a formal visit to each other’s parents. When visiting the girl’s parents, the boy has to bring with him the betrothal gifts in order to show sincerity ^[5]. When the gifts are received, then both the boy and the girl are engaged. When the girl visits the boy’s parents, the parents have to prepare a formal gift for the future daughter-in-law.

However, in western countries, traditionally, a young man asks the father of his sweetheart for permission to marry her. If the father agrees, the latter proposes to her. Often he tries to surprise her by “popping the question” in a romantic way. Sometimes the couple just decides together that the time is right to get married. They may be engaged for weeks, months or even years. As the big day approaches, bridal showers and bachelor’s parties provide many useful gifts. Today many couples also receive counseling during engagement. This prepares them for the challenges of married life ^[6].  

 

4.2 Wedding Location

For us Chinese, to get married is a great thing. The wedding should be lively and exciting, which is our tradition since ancient times. The Chinese are fond of lively atmosphere, and thus the location of the wedding, of course, is also a busy place. In ancient times, people would choose an open yard. In modern times, large hotels with convenient transportation naturally become the first choice.

For westerners, they valued holy and solemn. Most western weddings are held in churches and other quiet places. In their eyes, marriage is very sacred. Their wedding ceremony is in perfect order, on the contrary, our Chinese wedding is lively and exciting.

 

4.3 Wedding Costume and Color

The main color of the Chinese wedding is red, the so-called” Chinese red”, the traditional Chinese festive colors. The bride generally wears red dress, a symbol of good fortune and prosperous couple’s life. In the traditional wedding, the bride wears a chaplet and robes, with a red silk scarf while the groom wearing a red long gown mandarin jacket and a red hat. In the Chinese mind, “long” “feng” is holy and good. So the ancient women’s clothing embroidery will be chicken. There’ll also be “long”“feng” embroidered on the quilt. A family is filled with red happy character. On both sides of the door, there should post the red couplets. The new couple wear red flower on them. Most of the items in the new house are red.

The main color of the western wedding is white. In western weddings, the bride generally wears white wedding dress and groom is dressed in straight suit. Since Roman times, white is a symbol of celebration. Between 1850 and 1900, white is a symbol of wealth. At the turn of the century, white represents the most pure. Roman bride wore a white wedding gown, covered with a bright orange veil, which symbolizes the flames of passion ^[7]. In the western Catholic tradition, white represents happiness, holy and commitment. The bride’s bouquet, even the surrounding environment of adornment is white.

Due to the influence of western wedding, more and more Chinese people choose a white wedding dress. But the bride usually wears white wedding dress at the time of marrying and at the start of the banquet. Then they will change into red wedding dress or dress in other festive color.

 

4.4 Wedding Ceremony  

In tradition Chinese wedding, there are” three books six ritual manners”. The so-called three books is the letter of appointment, gift book, escorting a book. And six rituals are proposal, birthday matching, presenting betrothal gifts, wedding gifts, arranging the wedding, wedding ceremony. There are a large number of taboos and customs in these activities; for example, there must be scissors, ruler, slices of sugar, vase and so on in the bride’s dowry. At the same time, wedding has a certain order. According to the general situation, the whole process of wedding is : sacrificing ancestors, playing the flame gun, waiting for the groom, asking for red packet, bidding farewell, out of the door, getting on the car, playing firecrackers, wedding banquet, sending the guests, teasing the bride and the groom on wedding night, a bride’s homecoming on the third day after matrimony. This is just a part of our culture. In fact, although different countries have different marriage customs, people show respect and expectation to marriage regardless of national boundaries.

In the western wedding, there is something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Something old refers to the wedding dress handed down from mother, headdress or jewelry, which is on behalf of every good thing. Something new refers to new gifts from friends, such as skirts and decorations, which symbolizing a new life. Something borrowed refers to things borrowed from anybody. It is said that putting gold or silver which borrowed from rich family in the shoes inside means bringing money. Something blue refers to that the bride’s bouquet or small decorations are blue, which means the bride’s purity and chastity. At the same time, in the wedding, there are also a lot of customs in the west. For example, at the wedding, the bride will carry a handkerchief. Westerners believe that white handkerchief symbolizes good luck. In the wedding ceremony, the bride always stands on the left side of the groom. In the wedding banquet, the wedding cake is customized ^[8]. According to the historical records, since Roman times, at the end of the wedding ceremony, people will break a loaf of bread and wheat in the bride’s head. Wheat is a symbol of fertility while bread crumbs represent good luck.

Therefore, western wedding customs are also very complicated. But however palaver it is, the wishes of relatives and friends will not change. All of them hope that the couple can rely on each other, grow old together.  

4.5 Wedding Music

Music is an essential part of marriage. Chinese music plays an important role in creating a happy, friendly exciting environment during the wedding ceremony. A band of musicians with gongs and flute-like instruments accompanies the bride parade to groom’s home. Similar music is also played at the wedding banquet.

Music often played at western wedding includes a processional song for walking down the aisle and reception dance music, showing that westerners pursue for romance.

 

4.6 Wedding Host’s Function

Chinese wedding host mainly transfers atmosphere through his words and a variety of interactive activities. He is often humorous.

In the west, the wedding is presided over by the godfather. He asks the bride and groom to make a lifetime commitment to each other, which is the climax of the whole wedding. Then they will exchange rings and kiss each other with people’s blessing. s

4.7 Wedding Invitation

Whichever the country people live in, they must send the invitation cards if they want to invite friends, fellows and relatives to attend their wedding ceremonies. The forms of invitation cards do not vary much from eastern countries and to western countries, but they also have their own races’ features ^[9]. In China, the cards can be written by newlyweds or their parents. From the figures below, we will know some Chinese styles in the cards. The big red double-happiness shows us the new couple’s happy future. It is easy to find the form is ordered by: invitees-date-address-event-invitation-host.

 

For the western styles, the form is always ordered by: host-invitees-invitation-event-date and address. We can always notice the letters R.S.V.P, which means “please reply”. If you have received an invitation, you should dress very formal on the wedding. Ladies usually wear cocktail lounge dresses or wear long shirts plus a festival coat or sweater, while gentlemen should wear robes. And you should pay attention that a pair of trousers (no matter what colors) for lady is not proper.

Chinese wedding invitation card is red, means happiness and excitement. While western wedding invitation card is white, showing their romantic mind.

 

5 The Reasons of the Differences

According to the differences comparison above, we can see that there are big differences between Chinese and western wedding culture. So, why the differences could come into existence? The answers are as follows:

 

5.1 The Differences of Educational Tradition

The differences of cultural traditions are the roots of the differences. Our traditional culture has considered the Confucianism as the leading place since Chun-Chill. Tone in with people and society’s relationship has already dominated the education. The educational tradition has been controlling people’s thought. However, the western educational traditions pay more attention to people’s development and ability’s cultivation ^[10]. This characteristic also has a long historical process. Special education of Chinese parents and Chinese tradition deeply influence every family. In western countries, religion plays an important role.

In fact, there are also many similarities between Chinese and western educations. As a tradition, there is no one better or worse. They are the products of certain cultures.

 

5.2 The Effect of Different Characters 

China and the western countries have different history. China has a history of five thousand years of splendid culture. The long feudal rule influenced Chinese internal character. Under the influence of Confucian culture, Chinese people pay attention to the etiquette. Gradually, Chinese is more conservative, obedient and cautious. These characteristics are reflected in the complicated Chinese wedding ceremonies. Although now the Chinese wedding is no longer as that in the past, the basic “three books, six rituals” still has a pivotal position in the wedding.

Western history is not so profound as Chinese history. But as time accumulates, gradually westerners form their own characteristics. They advocate freedom, not affected by the etiquette. They pay more attention to the idea of themselves. In the wedding, western etiquette is inferior to China’s complex, but all activities pay attention to the couple’s feeling, such as a kiss.

 

5.3 The Effect of Different Religion Belief

Most Chinese are Buddhists and more and more people believe in atheism. In the minds of Chinese people, offering god is a kind of ritual. People believe in ghosts and spirits, such as dragons and phoenixes. We can see that there is worship the god in the wedding, which is a tradition since ancient times.

But in the west, people’s religious belief is very clear. It is important for a person. Each of them has a firm belief. And the wedding is also arranged according to their faith church ceremony. They firmly believe in god, so the wedding should be witnessed by the god ^[11]. There should be a pastor in the wedding leading couples to have marriage oath. It is not hard to find that westerner wedding religious color is very thick. It also creates the differences between Chinese and western wedding customs.

 

5.4 The Effect of Different Regions

    People living in different areas have different cultural backgrounds. Therefore, the way of thinking and living habits will also be different. These differences can lead to marriage differences.

 

5.5 The Effect of Different Ways of Thinking

Culture will influence people’s views and understanding of the outside world. Different countries have different culture, so the way of thinking is different. Westerners pay attention to logic and analysis while Chinese tend to pay special attention to intuition, experience and feeling ^[12]. Usually in the daily communication, Chinese judge the situation by feeling. Compared with western way of thinking, the way of thinking in China is more ambiguous and vague. The different ways of thinking has led to different Chinese and western wedding culture.

 

6 The Cultural Combination of Chinese and Western Marriage

    The culture of China and western countries are integrating. A new cultural revolution is progressing. Nobody can hinder the communication and integration of culture. The collision of culture is unavoidable. In such an economic globalization times, we have to know the nature of both culture, which can help us understand each other from all aspects. Wedding form is constantly changing. Wedding is the embodiment of Chinese and western cultures. The communication of culture will also boost the development of economic cooperation between countries. Without the cultural conflict, the politic will become relatively stable. The proverb” Two poles are interlined.” still has a realistic significance for us to understand the real life of human society.

6.1 Chinese Weddings Become Western Style

In recent years, under the influence of western culture, there are fewer and fewer traditional Chinese wedding but western style wedding. Western wedding is more fashionable, such as wedding veil. Veil was used to cover the bride’s face originally and now the starting point of choosing veil is usually beauty and fashion ^[13]. Now Chinese wedding is like an ocean of white wedding dress. According to the pie chart below, we can see that Chinese people tend to choose the western style biscuit, sweet chocolate as the wedding candle.   

More and more Chinese couples have a church wedding. A church wedding is a ceremony presided over by a Christian priest or pastor. However the wedding forms changes, it is dream of good life and wish to the couple.

 

6.2 Western Weddings Become Chinese Style

As China gradually becomes international, western wedding is blended in many Chinese elements. In the west, western weddings become Chinese style. A lot of foreigners like Chinese traditional culture, which are attracted by the liveliness and excitement of Chinese wedding. Foreign groom wear a gown jacket with a big red flower before him ^[14]. Foreign brides are dressed in a chaplet and official robes, also covered with a red square kerchief. Some even wear the cheongsam in the wedding. The scene is filled with jubilation and liveliness. Although Chinese wedding is less romantic and beautiful than western wedding, however there are five thousand years of Chinese moral behind its history.

 

 

                                                                  Conclusion

 

Love is the foundation of marriage, and marriage should be maintained and developed on the basic of responsibility. As the social development and cultural integration of the exchanges, a nation that wishes to live forever, not only has to have the ability to adapt to the trend of the times and with other ethnic coexistence, but also has to maintain their own culture and the fundamental, their social characteristics.

By studying the differences between Chinese and western wedding, we can know that: Western wedding is pure romantic, and Chinese wedding is happy and exciting. Western wedding values the good feeling, and China values the ceremony. Though, there are different customs, the entire wedding was full of blessings and laughter.

Though the comparison of these processes, we can easily find the distinctions. Generally speaking, western weddings are more flexible. The processes of a wedding are not as complicated as Chinese wedding. They give us the impression of romanticism, freedom and equity. According to the Chinese tradition style, it seems to be more cockamamie and striped-pants but own deeper cultural connotations.

In a word, people from different countries have different wedding styles, we should learn from each other instead of totally copying them. As a Chinese, maybe it is better to choose the traditional wedding style, but young people like the western style. So it is funny that we can mix the Chinese wedding and the western wedding, romantic, traditional, and meaningful. All of us expect that.

After understanding the profound cultural connotations and social significance of marriage, we realize that if marriage is damaged, the Chinese traditional spirit will be impacted. We have to be more careful about it. This reminds us that we should not only be preventive, but also restore the traditional Chinese wedding ceremony.

By studying the differences of Western and Chinese wedding, it helps to understand the exact features of the two kinds of weddings and prepare for our own future development. Nowadays, nations learn from each other and many weddings have mixed characters of the two countries. It is great that we can combine western wedding and Chinese wedding to hold a romantic, traditional, and meaningful one. Anyhow, it will be a lovely wedding as long as happiness and love exist.

 

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                                                                 Acknowledgements

 

First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my supervisor Mr. Liu Longyu, who has constantly guided me in the process of my thesis writing. Without his enlightening suggestions and careful revision, this thesis would not have been completed.

I am also greatly indebted to all the instructors at the School of Foreign Language of Zhuhai Campus of Beijing Institute of Technology for their excellent lectures and inspiring ideas which have benefited me a lot.

In addition, I am sincerely grateful to my classmates for their constant encouragement and valuable suggestions. It is their cooperation and generous help that make this thesis a reality.

On a personal note, I express my thanks to my dear parents. Without their understanding, support and help, I would never have accomplished this paper.