Preparation for 过大礼 Ceremony
Posted on May 24th, 2008 at 9:38 pmDonkey years ago, back in those olden days, 过大礼 is the day whereby the groom-to-be, with the escort of a ”Big Aunt”, will pay visit to the bride-to-be home. The purpose of the visit is for the groom to present the bridal gifts to his future parent-in-laws and to ascertain the confirmation of the marriage. In simple words, “Hey! Your daughter is mine!” Each of the bridal gift carries a special and auspicious meaning and is supposedly meant to bring prosperity to everyone in the family. In return, the parent-in-laws will also hand over a set of gifts to the groom for him to bring back to his parents. This gesture of gift exchange symbolizes acceptance as well as the start of a harmonious and cordial relationship between the two families - 有来有往.
Next Monday, 26th May 2008, is our customary 过大礼 Ceremony.
I went back to Clementi early this morning to join my parents in the preparation of the 过大礼 ceremony.
I brought along the bridal gift box (聘金盒) which Evon and I purchased during our Hong Kong trip last year. Back then, both of us were shopping along a street in Wan Chai and we happened to come across a chinese traditional wedding bridal boutique. Any traditional items for the wedding, you name it, they have it.
What’s really interesting is that we can’t believe there’s also some sort of “wildcard” in the context of traditional wedding items. If for some reasons we are not able to get hold of any of those items, we can substitute these item with a “Everything-in-One” red packet … (包罗万有). Trust me, this wildcard is presumly most powerful tool and will definitely come in handy.
At noon, Mum and I went to Chin Tin road to collect the bridal goodies packs. Mum placed an order with the shopkeeper a month ago . There were four boxes of food stuffs (don’t ask me what food coz I don’t seem to have the slightest clue), 2 sets of incense and candles for prayers to ancestors and also 2 sets of the Dragon-Phoenix candles. These items are the essentials of the 过大礼 ceremony. Be sure to miss out none!
Interestingly. for the first time, Mum admitted she’s getting really excited and anxious.
Alright, so much so for this blog. It’s time for me to go tidy up the place. Evon will be back from her company trip tomorrow and I really don’t wish to get into trouble for messing up her kitchen and the toilet. Who knows what she’s going to get the sisters to do to me and my brothers on the AD.