When you think of a traditional Chinese wedding, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s the vibrant red sedan chair, the elaborate phoenix crown and ceremonial robes, or the rituals of bowing to heaven and earth and lifting the bride’s veil. In 2024, historical romance dramas (古偶剧) have brought these ancient wedding customs to life, turning them into key plot points and visual spectacles that captivate audiences. From architectural details to costumes, from wedding rituals to banquets and dances, these dramas offer a unique window into the lifestyles of ancient China.

But why have recent historical dramas been so focused on wedding scenes? And what were ancient Chinese weddings really like? Let’s explore the fascinating world of traditional Chinese weddings, both on and off the screen.

The Essentials of an Ancient Chinese Wedding

The term “wedding” (婚礼) in Chinese originally referred to the “evening ceremony” (昏礼), as ancient weddings were held at dusk. The earliest records of Chinese wedding customs can be found in texts like The Book of Rites (礼记) and The Rites of Zhou (周礼). Weddings were considered one of the most important events in a person’s life, embodying the essence of ritual and tradition.

Ancient Chinese weddings were intricate and highly ceremonial, centered around the “Six Rites” (六礼):

  1. Nacai (纳采): The groom’s family sends a matchmaker to propose to the bride’s family, often with a gift of a wild goose, symbolizing loyalty and fidelity.
  2. Wenming (问名): The groom’s family requests the bride’s name and birth details for divination to ensure compatibility.
  3. Naji (纳吉): After a favorable divination, the groom’s family formally announces the engagement.
  4. Nazheng (纳徵): The groom’s family presents betrothal gifts, such as silk and deer hides, to the bride’s family.
  5. Qingqi (请期): The wedding date is chosen based on auspicious astrological signs.
  6. Qinying (亲迎): The groom, dressed in formal attire, travels to the bride’s home to escort her to the wedding ceremony, which takes place at dusk.

While historical dramas often focus on the qinying (亲迎) and subsequent ceremonies, they rarely depict the full “Six Rites” due to their complexity. Instead, they adapt and embellish these traditions to suit the narrative and visual needs of the story.

Historical Accuracy vs. Dramatic License

Historical dramas often take creative liberties with wedding customs to enhance the plot and appeal to modern audiences. For example:

  • Substitute Brides: In The Long Song, the protagonist marries in place of her sister. While this makes for dramatic storytelling, such a scenario would have been highly unlikely in ancient times due to the strict rituals of name and birthdate verification.
  • Bachelor Parties: Modern “bachelor parties” have no direct equivalent in ancient China, but pre-wedding feasts were held to thank matchmakers and relatives for their efforts.
  • Pre-Wedding Meetings: Traditionally, the bride and groom were not supposed to meet before the wedding. The night before the ceremony, the bride’s family would prepare the bridal chamber, a ritual known as pufang (铺房).
  • Groom’s Challenges: While modern dramas often feature playful challenges for the groom, ancient customs like zhangche xiaxu (障车下婿) involved teasing the groom as he arrived to fetch the bride.
  • Bridal Carry: The romantic image of the groom carrying the bride over a fire pit is a modern invention. In ancient times, the bride would step over the fire pit herself, symbolizing the purification of bad luck.

A Feast of Chinese Aesthetics

Historical dramas have turned wedding scenes into showcases of Chinese aesthetics, blending historical accuracy with artistic flair. For example:

  • The Story of Ninefold Purple (九重紫) draws inspiration from Ming Dynasty weddings, featuring elaborate phoenix crowns, red robes, and traditional rituals like the bride’s procession in a sedan chair.
  • The Legend of Liuzhou (柳舟记) captures the grandeur of Tang Dynasty weddings, with gold-embroidered robes, pearl-adorned headdresses, and lively music and dance.
  • The Splendid Peace (锦绣安宁) incorporates traditional wedding blessings and rituals, such as the sazhang (撒帐) ceremony, where guests scatter coins and fruits to wish the couple prosperity and fertility.

These dramas pay meticulous attention to costume design, set decoration, and cultural details, creating visually stunning scenes that resonate with modern audiences. The use of soft lighting, close-ups, and dynamic camera work further enhances the emotional impact of these wedding sequences.

The Symbolism of Ancient Wedding Rituals

Ancient Chinese weddings were rich in symbolism, with each ritual carrying deep cultural significance:

  • The Exchange of Cups: The hejin (合卺) ritual, where the bride and groom drank from two halves of a gourd, symbolized their union. By the Song Dynasty, this evolved into the jiaobei (交杯) ritual, where the couple exchanged cups tied with a red string.
  • The Scattering of Blessings: During the sazhang (撒帐) ceremony, guests would scatter coins and fruits like dates, chestnuts, and peanuts, symbolizing wishes for wealth and fertility.
  • The Binding of Hair: The heji (合髻) ritual, where the bride and groom each cut a lock of hair and tied them together, symbolized their eternal bond as husband and wife.

The Renaissance of Traditional Culture

The popularity of wedding scenes in historical dramas reflects a broader cultural revival. By showcasing the beauty and depth of traditional Chinese weddings, these dramas connect modern audiences with their cultural heritage. They also serve as a platform for exploring themes of love, family, and societal norms, blending historical authenticity with contemporary values.

In conclusion, the “wedding fever” in historical dramas is more than just a trend—it’s a celebration of Chinese culture and tradition. Through these elaborate and emotionally charged scenes, audiences are transported to a world where love and ritual intertwine, reminding us of the timeless beauty of ancient Chinese weddings. Whether through the grandeur of a Ming Dynasty ceremony or the intimacy of a Tang Dynasty ritual, these dramas offer a glimpse into a past that continues to inspire and resonate today.