A Study on the Differences Between Chinese and Western Wedding Culture

Qin Chaoqun　Yu Chunmei

Abstract：There are the huge differences in different nations between the history and the environment， so Chinese culture is different from the western culture， which is reflected in a good deal of aspects， among which wedding culture difference is the most common form.The paper emphatically studies wedding customs differences from China to the west so as to further understand the cultural differences.

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

In the process of advancement of human culture， there emerged all sorts of cultural forms， among which China and the west have formed their own unique features. The wedding culture is a kind of cultural form people commonly see， and there are many wedding culture differences between China and the West. However， the difference is slowly disappearing in the new era and Chinese wedding is getting more and more westernized because of the development of the economic globalization and the speed of reform and opening.

1. Differences in Wedding Dress

The differences in aesthetic tendencies and customs between China and the West have leaded to the differences of their wedding dress. Wedding dress has always been an important part of the wedding culture in China and the West. The wedding dress of China and the West better reflects the unique culture of China and the West. The next is the best embodiment. For example， red is Chinese favorite， while Westerners like white. In the history of civilization in China for a many years， red is defined as an important symbol， which is on behalf of fortune， luck， happiness. At the same time it is also the hope for the future life——hoping that the future life is prosperous， so the wedding day requires the couple to wear a red dress. Nevertheless， in the western ancient culture， people like white——women wear white bridal veil， while men wear white or black suit， which indicates holiness， loyalty， romantic dignity. In addition， Chinese wedding dress is different from the western wedding dress on decoration. The Chinese likes to decorate their clothing with the rich and colorful patterns， of which the dragon shape pattern is very most common. The implication is a happy life and a thriving family. However， Western clothing is different from the Chinese and has always been in the wave of reform， and they attach the most importance to the innovation and application of technology. Although Chinese wedding costumes are not much similar to Western wedding costumes， they are all sending the same message and blessing to the couple. In this way， human civilization is alike to some extent， and the culture of the east and the west can communicate with one another， learn mutually and develop together.

2. Differences in Wedding Music

In terms of the types of the music， Chinese wedding attaches importance to happiness and peace. People can have the common sense that the more alive the wedding is， the better the wedding is. Firecracker sound， musical sound and so on can create some kind of lively and festive atmosphere. In recent years， there are some kinds of pop music appearing in the Chinese wedding. In addition， the wedding asks officiator to raise his voice to certain high level. Only by doing it might the new couples get more blessing. All in all， Most of Chinese private individual hope that the voice of the music is higher， which can create an more lively atmosphere. Unlike China， the utopian choice of the western is that soft music matches a peaceful atmosphere. In their opinions， they can easily get the god blessing only in this way. Of all kinds of music， symphony is their favorite music because it can convey a dark， serious effect. And it can reflect western wedding characteristics.

3. Conclusion

For the purpose of being better familiar with the differences between Chinese and western wedding culture， the paper mainly regards Chinese and western wedding cultures as the object of the study. From the study， people can clearly know that the differences are reflected in the following aspects， which include wedding dress and wedding music. The Chinese people like red dress ，while the western people prefer white dress.

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