Chinese Traditional Wedding Clothes

The color red is significant in Chinese culture.

Chinese weddings are symbolic and the same is true of the traditional wedding clothes. The clothes for both the bride and groom are made of silk and are ornate. The symbolic designs and color reflect Chinese cultural beliefs.

Types

Northern Chinese women wear the Qi Pao, a one-piece outfit embroidered with silver and gold designs. Women from the south traditionally wear the Cheongsam or Qun Gua, a two-piece wedding ensemble with an embroidered phoenix and dragon. A traditional Chinese groom wears a black silk coat over a robe embroidered with dragons. He also wears a black hat with red tassels.

Accessories

Traditional bridal wedding shoes are made of red and green felt. A red bridal veil covers the bride's face throughout the ceremony. The groom later removes the veil when the couple is alone and the wedding is over.

Features

A traditional Chinese bride wears red and never blue, grey or black clothing as these colors may cause sorrow to the married couple, according to Cultural China. Red is a good luck color that symbolizes prosperity and love and keeps evil spirits at bay. The phoenix and dragon on the dress symbolize the balance of power between the couple.

References

• China Bridal: Custom & Culture
• Cultural China: Festivals and Customs
• Top China Travel: Chinese Wedding Dress

Resources

• Chinese Historical and Cultural Project: Chinese Wedding Traditions