An Analysis on Chinese and Western WeddingCulture Differences

Qin Chaoqun Yu Chunmei

Abstract：Culture is the sum of intangible wealth created by generations who have always been studying and accumulating from generation to generation for a long time. In order to make people have a clearer understanding about the distinct which holds between Chinese and western wedding culture， the paper emphatically discusses wedding customs differences varying from China to the west.

Key words：Chinese and Western culture； wedding custom； difference

Culture is the thought of the spiritual pillar of a state and a nation. Culture can revives the country， and a strong culture makes the nation strong. In the process of advancement of society， there appeared all kinds of cultural forms. Therefore the author wants to choose the differences between Chinese and western wedding culture as subject and spend much time on the study in order to give people a chance to understand the difference and foster people deep feelings for our own culture rather than to pursue the westernization.

1. Differences in Wedding Location

In China， people enjoy a happy and prosperous atmosphere， and traditional Chinese wedding venues are usually chosen the place where the busy scene can be seen， and the choice of most people is their own open courtyard. However， with the advancement of society and the spread of western culture， there has gradually been a lot of change in Chinese wedding venues. Nowadays， people usually choose to hold wedding ceremonies in luxury hotels with convenient transportation. Despite the change of location， the lively atmosphere is still a pursuit of Chinese wedding. The west weddings stress sacredness， solemnity， simpleness， and the western people believe in God and believe that wedding is God's mission and responsibility to people， and it is the best wishes to people， and it must be witnessed by God. By doing it， the westerns feel the wedding completion. So the choice of the place of most of Western weddings is in quiet places， such as churches. And the whole ceremony is very quiet， and the new couples take the oath and received the blessing of their good friend， which make the ceremony a beautiful memory of their life. Not similar to Chinas weddings， the style of the west weddings seek romance.

2. Differences in Wedding Procedures

The most important step in the wedding process is the wedding procedure， and there are obvious differences in the wedding procedure between China and the West.

In China， there are six steps in the traditional wedding process. Although it is not so strict today，the same six steps are necessary.The first is Nachce.In other words， when a man has an interest in a woman， the man finds a matchmaker to go to the woman's house to tell her it. The next step is to ask names. A man will ask the matchmaker go to the woman's house to ask some things including her name， when being born. Next came Naji. If it is appropriate， a man will discuss with the woman aboutthe engagement. The fourth step is to accept the sign.That isthe man inviting the broker to take the gift and money to the woman's home. The fifth step is to discuss the date of their wedding. The last is to welcome the kiss.On an early date，the bridegroom went to the bride's house with the matchmaker and relatives and friends to invite the bride to go home.However，with the development of the societyand people's daily life getting more abundant， these steps have certain changes.

Being not similar to our wedding customs， the western wedding custom is not so much complicated procedure. And it seems to look to be such dignity.After a period of contact， if a boy and a girl agree to each other， the man will formally make an offer of marriage with the woman. After the woman agrees， they will simply hold an engagement ritual， inviting some friends to attend.

3. Conclusion

The paper gives people a chance to better learn the differences between Chinese and western wedding culture. Therefore， people should know when we learn some kinds of foreign language， not only can we learn different culture forms， but also we can learn differences hidden behind the culture forms.

[References]

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（作者單位：Beihua University，Jilin City， Jilin Province，132013）