The Wedding |
Selecting an auspicious
date
 |
Chinese weddings tend to be colourful and pomp affairs although
couples wishing to marry the traditional way often have to go through certain
rituals which can be considered endearing or cumbersome – depending
on your state of mind and beliefs.
My wedding with Yvonne was to be conducted in two chapters – the first being hosted by my in-laws in Yvonne's cosmopolitan hometown of Kuala Lumpur, and the second hosted by my family in Penang. For the wedding dinner reception in Kuala Lumpur, we decided to keep in line with tradition to select an "auspicious date" for the event. |
A consultation was arranged with a prominent Chinese medium/astrologer in Kuala Lumpur. The encounter was used to provide him with each of our own personal particulars, chiefly: name, date of birth and time of birth.
I am not well versed in the rationale behind this but I gathered that the medium/astrologer, using our point of births, proceeded to perform some astrological (Chinese version) calculation to invoke a date when the celestial positioning of stars are most favourable to our union as one. This, according to Chinese beliefs, are of utmost importance to chart our marriage on the right course of prosperity and happiness.
And the verdict: the 22nd day of the Chinese 11th moon (9 January 1999).
The result of this consultation was a piece of prescription paper (see top left) which specified the auspicious date including a list of rituals to follow. Some of these include the act of combing the bride's hair and taking the bride for a walk in the garden (sans bridegroom) to look at the moon on the wedding eve, in accordance with the specific hour given.
All these rituals are pregnant with symbolism and meaning, each act a pertinent step towards appeasing the heavens, thus blessing our marriage with all that is good.
* * *
Contact Yvonne & Adrian at
acek@pc.jaring.my
D e s i g n
e d b y A d r i a n C h e a
h
Copyright @ Adrian Cheah.
All rights reserved.