Traditional Chinese marriage
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Traditional Chinese marriage is a ceremonial ritual within Chinese societies that involves not only a union between spouses but also a union between the two families of a man and a woman, sometimes es
A Qing dynasty wedding. The groom's parents are seated. The bride is the one in the centre wearing a red dress and blue headpiece, presenting tea to her mother-in-law. The groom usually wears a sash forming an "X" in front of him. Sometimes the "X" includes a giant bow or flower, though not in this picture.
Wedding procession of the Guangxu Emperor, 1889
Wedding procession of the Guangxu Emperor
Ruyi (wish granting scepter) used in Empress Xiaoding's wedding
New Marriage Law
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The New Marriage Law was a civil marriage law passed in the People's Republic of China on May 1, 1950. It was a radical change from existing patriarchal Chinese marriage customs, and needed constant s
A marriage certificate issued in 1970. The certificate stressed the couple were "marrying voluntarily" and in accordance to the New Marriage Law; a piece of Mao Zedong's quotation was stated to the left of the certificate.