Chinese Weddings and Cultural Context

-March 5, 2017-Communications 101-Mrs. Sonandre

Photo Credit: (Sposa, 2009)

Overview1. Title Page (Brynn)2. Overview (Ashley)3. Introduction (Ashley)4. High Context and Low Context Cultures (Tyrah)5. Cultural Context in China (Tyrah)6. Chinese Cultural Formation (Tyrah)7. Why China is a high context culture based on traditional weddings (Brynn)8. Traditional Chinese Wedding Proposal (Jeff)9. Traditional Chinese Wedding Symbols (Galina)10. Chinese Bridal Preparations (Sarah)11. Chinese Groom Preparations (Sarah)12. Traditional Chinese Wedding Ceremony (Sarah)13. After a Chinese Wedding Ceremony (Jeff)14. Conclusion (Ashley)15. References (Brynn)

IntroductionIn ancient China, women were chained when they were brought to meet their future husband. This started the tradition of the bride being carried to her ceremony. (Rutledge, 1996) China has a very high context culture with a lot of meaning in symbols, traditions, and history. Based on Chinese wedding traditions and the symbols, foods, and preparations involved it’s easy to see that their culture is high context. Our group (Group 1) has done extensive research about traditional Chinese weddings and the symbols and meanings that go with those traditionsIn China a lot of importance is placed on wishing the newlyweds good luck and for a prosperous marriage. In the U.S. there are a lot of different cultures and it is important to know how to correctly respond to your friend, colleague, or even boss’s major life events, like getting married.

High Context and Low Context Cultures

• The concepts of high context and low context refer to how people communicate in different cultures.

• Differences can be derived from the extent to which meaning is transmitted through actual words used or implied by the context.

• High context implies that a lot of unspoken information is implicitly transferred during communication.

• Low context implies that a lot of information is exchanged explicitly through the message itself and rarely is anything implicit or hidden. (Williams, 2015)

Photo Credit: (Autor, 2011)

Chinese Culture Formation• Thousands of years of culture and history have formed

to emphasized the importance of maintaining balance in relationships, which means avoiding saying or doing things that could upset others, and potentially damage relationships. • In traditional Chinese culture, being too direct is

generally seen as an indication of a lack of sophistication, of being poorly educated, or of simply being rude and inconsiderate of others.• In China communication tends to be very efficient

because of their information-flow at work and in privacy. They discuss everything in advance and consider meetings as an official ceremony where the already commonly agreed decision will be announced. (Lombard, 2016)

Cultural Context in China• China is a high context culture. • Communication is frequently indirect, and

requires a deep understanding of the cultural context to be able to properly interpret what others are saying and doing. • This is especially true of situations that could

involve anger, confrontation, or disagreement.• The Chinese place great importance on

ambience, decorum, the relative status of the participants in a communication and the manner of message’s delivery. (Maclachlan, 2010)• High context cultures usually have a lot of way to

nonverbally communicate

Nonverbal Communication• Nonverbal communication is used in every aspect of the Chinese culture. Tones of

the voice, facial expressions, and gestures are all ways that nonverbal communication is portrayed.

• Bowing is the traditional way to greet friends. Hugging and kissing is not. Hand shaking usually only occurs among equals not those of different status’s. It is actually considered rude to offer your hand.

• Touching is generally frowned upon in public, unless you are same sex.• A person’s personal space is smaller then what we are accustomed to here in the

states.• Eye contact is not normal. Usually the listener looks at the speakers nose (Kim, 2012)• These forms of communicating are used a lot in traditional Chinese Weddings

Traditional Chinese Wedding Proposal• Process of engagement: prolific gifts were presented to the girl's

family, symbolizing respect and kindness towards the girl's family as well as the capability of providing a good life for the girl.• In ancient times the marriage was not based on the couples love for

one another, but it was based upon what the parents wanted to accomplish.

Photo Credit: (Wang, 2014)

Traditional Chinese Wedding Symbols

SymbolDouble happiness symbol/ candle

Meaning• The candle is burned at weddings as a symbol

for good luck and a happy marriage.• Composed of two standard characters

representing the wish for the newlyweds to have happiness.• Lighting candles is very important to Chinese

wedding night. (Mock, 2013)• Imply good wishes for the newlyweds living

together with love and good luck. Photo Credit: (Chinese Symbols…, n.d.)

Traditional Chinese Wedding Symbols

SymbolRed/Gold Invitation Envelopes

Meaning• The red envelope is also a symbol of prosperity.

Red is also the color in Chinese weddings, representing good luck, joy and happiness.• Gold is a very popular color to match red.

Traditionally, the color gold can be used only by emperors as a symbol of the highest status. (Mock, 2013)• The combination of red and gold provide

people a strong sense of happiness and honor.

Photo Credit: (Bryant, n.d.)

Traditional Chinese Wedding Symbols

SymbolsCheongsam and Han/ dragon and phoenix patterns

Meaning• Cheongsam and Han Chinese clothes are

the two most popular styles. No matter which style you choose, the wedding dress is always made of red silk, with beautiful embroideries on it. • The pattern of dragon and phoenix is also

used frequently in Chinese wedding decorations, symbolizing the groom and bride respectively; most often embroidered on wedding dresses. (Zhang, 2009)

Photo Credit: (Bryant, n.d.)

Chinese Bridal Preparations• At the dawn on her wedding day the bride is bathed in water infused with

pumelo, a variety of grapefruit to cleanse her of her evil influences. • A ‘good luck woman’ attends the brides preparations and dresses the brides hair

in the style of a married woman.• She is carried to the main hall on the good luck woman’s back, or it can be the

most senior sister-in-law.• She is put in a jacket and skirt and steps in red shoes.• Bride’s face is covered in a red silk veil. (Mar & Rutledge, 1996)

Photo Credit: (Wang, 2016)

Chinese Groom Preparations• Dresses in a long gown with red shoes.• Red silk sash with a silk ball on his shoulder.• Father places a cap decorated with cypress leaves

on the grooms head.• The groom bows first before the tablets of Heaven

and Earth and his ancestors then to his parents and the rest of the family members. (Mar & Rutledge, 1996)

Photo Credit: (Sposa, 2009)

Traditional Chinese Wedding Ceremony

• The father removes the silk ball from the sash of the grooms shoulders and places it on the top of the bridal sedan’s chair.• The bride and groom are conducted to the

family altar, there they paid homage to Heaven and Earth, the family ancestors and the Kitchen God.• Tea with two red dates is offered generally to

the grooms parents.• The most important feast is given to the

groom’s family on the day of the wedding. (Grice, n.d.) Photo Cedit: (Traditions…, 2007)

After a Chinese Wedding Ceremony• After the ceremony the couple is led to the bridal chamber where both of them

sit on a bed. They drink honey and wine poured into goblets linked by a red thread. They exchanged cups and took drinks, and drank it down. (Traditions…, 2007)• The bed chamber is soon open to visitors who view it.• Later there are separate wedding feasts where men and women sit separately.

Conclusion • “High-context cultures are collectivist, value interpersonal relationships, and have

members that form stable, close relationships.” (Williams, 2015)• As shown in the pictures and proven by our abundance of credible sources

traditional Chinese weddings confirm that China has a high context culture.• It is important to know Chinese culture is high context and revolves around

traditions and symbols. • This may help in the future if you are ever looking to get closer to someone who

follows Chinese traditions, or if you are invited to a Chinese wedding.

Questions to Consider• What other cultures share similar wedding traditions?• What are some differences between a traditional wedding in the U.S. and a

traditional Chinese wedding?• What are some similarities between U.S. weddings and Chinese weddings?• What are some communication barriers that someone from a low-context culture

might have with someone from a high-context culture? • What are some symbols used in other cultures that also give good luck to

newlyweds?• What are some communication errors that could occur when people from

different cultures communicate? • Can you describe a way of communicating unique to your culture?

References• Autor, B. (2011, April 15). II. High context versus low context. Retrieved March 05, 2017, from

http://www.via-web.de/high-context-vs-low-context/• Bryant, C. (n.d.). New Year Red Envelopes Home » Arts & Crafts » Chinese New Year » New Year Red

Envelopes. Retrieved February 23, 2017, from http://www.chinasprout.com/shop/ANR060 • Chinese Symbols-Chinese Marriage Ceremony-Double Happiness-Waterlilly-Crane-Buddhist Om Symbol-

Chinese Weddings-Place Cards-Table Numbers-Wedding Programs-Seating Charts. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2017, from https://www.documentsanddesigns.com/reception_accessories/Dings_Swirls/Index_Chinese_Symbols.htm

• Grice, R. (n.d.). Traditional Chinese marriage (wedding) customs. Retrieved February 23, 2017, from http://www.chinatourguide.net/12_19.htm

• Kim, J. (October 21, 2012). Nonverbal Communication in China. Retrieved March 5, 2017, from https://jasonkim29.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/nonverbal-communication-in-china/

• Lombard, J. (2016, May 28). What makes China a high context culture? Retrieved March 05, 2017, from https://www.quora.com/What-makes-China-a-high-context-culture

• Maclachlan, M. (2010, February 12). Cross-Cultural Communication Styles: High and Low Context. Retrieved March 05, 2017, from https://www.communicaid.com/cross-cultural-training/blog/high-and-low-context/

References• Mar, L., & Rutledge, I. (1996). Chinese Wedding Traditions. Retrieved February 27, 2017, from

http://chcp.org/virtual-museum-library/chinese-wedding-traditions/#wedding • Mock, L. (2013, February 12). Significance of Red & Gold in Chinese culture. Retrieved February 23, 2017, from

http://qiharmony.com/significance-of-red-gold-in-chinese-culture/ • Sposa, C. (2009, November 1). Wedding On Frame. Retrieved March 05, 2017, from

http://weddingonframe.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html • Traditions -> Festivals and Customs. (2007). Retrieved February 27, 2017, from

http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/14Traditions30.html • Wang. (2014, March 29). Traditional Wedding Rituals. Retrieved March 05, 2017, from

https://wang927.wordpress.com/2014/03/29/traditional-wedding-rituals/ • Wang, F. (2016, April 05). What goes into a traditional Chinese wedding in Guangdong? Retrieved February 28,

2017, from Quora, https://www.quora.com/What-goes-into-a-Traditional-Chinese-wedding-in-Guangdong • Williams, Y. (2015, May 20). High-Context Culture: Definition & Examples. Retrieved March 01, 2017, from

http://study.com/academy/lesson/high-context-culture-definition-examples-quiz.html • Zhang, X. (2009). Chinese Wedding. Retrieved February 23, 2017, from

http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/fall09/zhang_x/dress.html