Everlasting Pearl | Page 8

covered with red, was spread on a mat on the floor, the
bride and bridegroom knelt down on it, and three times worshipped
their ancestors, their heads touching the ground each time. Then they
turned round and worshipped "Heaven and earth" in the same way.
Afterwards two cups of wine were brought from the table. The man
who was supporting the bridegroom offered the latter one of the cups,
and the second one was held to the lips of the bride by the women in
charge of her. Then the wine from the two cups was mixed, and each
one took a sip from the same cup, indicating that from now on they
were united, and must share life together, whilst some of the bystanders
laughingly chanted:
Together they walk, each other aid, The knot is tied, the covenant
made.
The first ceremony had come to an end. Bride and bridegroom bowed
to each other, and then the latter lifted the veil, and beheld for the first

time the face of the girl who had been given him to wife! The crowd
was getting excited, and from all sides the shout arose:
Oh, with what joy the hour we hail, When time has come to lift the veil.
The poor little bride was getting weary, and her bridesmaid led her
back to the bedroom, closely followed by the bridegroom. For a few
moments they took their stand together in front of the bed, but soon the
young man went out of the room, threw off his wedding garments, and
began to help in looking after the guests. Soon all of them were feasting
around a number of square tables, the bridegroom being one of the
busiest in ministering to them.
But the bride had not got over her ordeal. The whole evening she was
made a gazing-stock to all. Any one might go in to stare at her, and
acquaintances of the bridegroom and even strangers who crowded into
the room were allowed to make any remarks they liked. The children
were dancing around her singing:
Little bride, little bride! You climbed the wall from the other side!
Every now and again this refrain was started, and sometimes a more
mischievous boy or girl would take it up, adding another line:
Little bride, little bride! You climbed the wall from the other side! And
to steal our potatoes moreover tried!
Later on, a table was spread in front of the bride, and a few intimate
friends and relatives had their supper with her, but she herself could
touch nothing. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, trying to keep
calm and composed; no smile lit up her face, no word was uttered, and
it was very seldom that a sentence was addressed to her.
In the middle of the many courses, her mitre was placed on her head
again, and she was led out to the guest-hall. With a wine cup in her
hand, she went from table to table, and bowed low to her husband's
friends. Their cups were filled afresh, and each one took a drink in
honour of the bride, while the band played vigorously. After she had

finished her round, she went back to her bedroom till the feasting was
over.
[Illustration: Adorned as a bride. A proud day in the young girl's life.]
It was then getting late, and the young bridegroom entered,
accompanied by his friends, who were carrying big red candles in front
of him, and sending off fire-crackers. They did not leave the young
people till after midnight, and not before having tried to get hold of as
many of their belongings as possible. These they endeavoured to hide,
and a good thing it was that the bride had got plenty of sweets, peanuts,
beans, etc., for all the stolen articles had to be redeemed the following
morning.
After a few short hours of rest, the young people had to get ready for
breakfast, and soon afterwards the second part of the wedding
ceremony began, the part which is called Fen ta siao, which, literally
translated, means "To distinguish between great and small." Bride and
bridegroom were arrayed once more in their wedding robes, and
proceeded to the guest-hall where all the relatives were assembled.
Again the two knelt together on the red quilt, bowing their heads three
times to the ground before Mr. and Mrs. Hsü, who bowed in return. Mr.
Hsü threw down the keys of the household before the young people. He
had, however, no thought of giving them any responsibility, and every
intention of getting the keys back into his own pockets and keeping
them there.
Then the uncles and aunts were led forward, to whom was paid the
same respect. The brothers, cousins, and other relatives came