Chinese bride, you’ll be expected to follow these practices to bless your union, and the An Chuang (安床) ceremony is one of the many traditions you’re expected to carry out.
The An Chuang (安床) ceremony is the setting up of the matrimonial bed before the couple embarks on their customary wedding. It involves decorating the bed with items that are meant to bless the couple with a blissful and harmonious marriage filled with many offsprings.
What is ‘an chuang’?
So what exactly is this ceremony about? Though simple, the ‘an chuang’ ceremony is one of the most important out of all the other wedding traditions as it concerns the future of the family. The items used during this ceremony represents different aspects, in order to ensure good fortune for the family of the newlyweds. This important ceremony is usually conducted about 3 days before the actual wedding day.
What do you need?
- A new bed
- New bed sheets and pillowcases in auspicious colours (red/pink/lavender)
- 2 bedside lamps
- Even number of oranges
- 2 red packets (Ang pau)
- 1 packet of candies
- Fate coins (from guo da li ceremony)
- Antique chinese coins
In addition to these items, you will also need the following items placed in a tray as your Gift Box:
- Red dates
- Dried longan
- Lotus seeds
- Peanuts or Walnuts
- Pomegranate leaves or Pine tree leaves
- Lily bulbs
- Dried tangerines
- Dried melon slice
- Round Double Happiness plate / tray