CULTURAL MEANINGS OF SIFU WONG CHUN NGA'S WEDDING CEREMONIES
Hair-Combing Ceremony on Wedding Eve
These videos show the meanings and values of traditional Chinese culture on wedding ceremonies.
The hair-combing ceremony signals the transition of the child into a man. The three combings signify that the marriage will be perfect and lasting, that the Bridegroom and the Bride will live long life, and that there will be a lot of children and grandchildren.
The parents then feed the Bridegroom which symbolizes the years of bringing him up from a child into a man. The Bridegroom then offers food to the parents to thank them for bringing him up.
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| Praying to Heaven and Earth | Leading the Bridegroom Out | Praying to Bodhisattva, Gods and Ancestors |
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| Combing Hair to Enter Manhood | Feeding from Childhood to Manhood | Repaying Kindness of Parents |
The ceremonies at the Bride's side are similar to those at the Bridegroom's side. The Bride's parents pray to Heaven and Earth to thank all the Gods for their blessings. The Bride thanks the Gods for a good husband.
The parents comb the Bride's hair three times, the first combing signifying the marriage will be perfect and lasting, the second combing signifying the Bride and Bridegroom will have long lives, and the third combing signifying they will have a lot of children and grand children.
The parents then feed the Bride symbolizing the years of bringing her up. The Bride then feeds the parents and elders symbolizing her gratitude for their love and care.
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| Praying to Heaven and Earth | Praying to Heaven and Earth | Praying to Bodhisattva, Gods and Ancestors |
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| Combing Hair to Enter Womanhood | Feeding from Childhood to Womanhood | Repaying Kindness of Parents and Elders |
On the morning of the wedding, the Shaolin Warriors arrive early to accompany the Bridegroom on his journey to take the Bride home. The parents help the Bridegroom put on his best clothes. They then lead the Bridegroom by hand onward to his journey.
On arrival at the Bride's house, the conquering party is met be a young boy who opens the door of the Bridegroom's carriage. The Bridegroom is offered some sweet drink to sweeten his mouth and to bring sweet things to come. The conquering Warriors are well fed so that they are ready for the battle to break through the Bride's defence.
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| The Wedding Day | The Shaolin Warriors | Putting on the Best Clothes |
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| The Conquering Begins | Arriving at the Bride's Home | Enjoying Sweetness |
The Bridegroom and his Warriors arrive at the Bride's house. The beautiful Bride waits patiently but her Defenders are determined to prevent the inevitable conquest. At a most auspicious time, the Bridegroom leads the conquest to the Bride's bastion. The door is locked. A formidable Warrior threatens to break down the wall, if not the door.
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| The Warriors and Food | The Beautiful Bride | The Bride's Defenders |
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| The Bridegroom's Conquerers | Leading the Attack | Breaking the Door |
Winning the Bride's heart is more a battle of wits than a battle of might. So the Bridegroom, with the support of his warriors, sings a love song. This isn't enough. He has to demonstrate his willingness to sacrifice for the Bride. He drinks an ominous-looking drink, which turns out to be something sweet. This isn't enough. He is given another drink, but a Warrior gallantly drinks it for him, and it turns out to be sweet, sour, bitter and spicy all in one, symbolizing that the Bridegroom is willing to go through all difficulties for the Bride.
The Bride's defenders ask on behalf of the bride what the Bridegroom is think of. What else besides, "I love you". The Bridegroom also brings some gifts for the Bride's defenders, all enclosed in a big red packet. Eventually the Bridegroom wins the Bride.
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| Singing a Love Song | Demonstrating his Sacrifice | Battling through All Difficulty |
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| Expressing his Love | Bringing Some Gifts | Winning the Bride |
The Bride has been won. The accompanying Warriors are decorated. Everyone wishes the newly wedded happiness, long lives and prosperity. The Bride and the Bridegroom accompanied by the Warriors are on their way home where a warm welcome is waiting for them. At home the Bride and Bridegroom pray to Heaven, Bodhisattva Guan Yin and Gods.
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| Kissing the Bride | Decorating the Warriors | Mission Accomplished |
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| Onward Home | Arriving at Bridegroom's House | Warm Welcome |
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| Praying to Heaven | Praying to Bodhisattva Guan Yin | Praying to Gods |
At the home of the bridegroom, the newly wedded offer tea to their parents, uncles and aunties, and elder sisters and brothers-in-laws to show respect. In return they receive valuable presents from the elders. Then their younger sister and brother, and younger cousins congratulate them.
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| Offering Tea to Parents | Receiving Gifts | Tea to Uncle and Auntie |
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| Uncle and Auntie | Uncle and Auntie | Sister and Brother-in-Law |
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| Sister and Brother-in-Law | Congratulations from Younger Sister | Congratulations from Younger Brother |
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| Congratulations from Cousin | Congratulations from Cousin | Congratulations from Cousin |
The bride and bridegroom pose with members of the the Shaolin Wahnam Family.
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| The Wong's Family | Shaolin Wahnam Family | Close Up |
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| West Malaysia, Switzerland, Sabah | Portugal, Japan, United Kingdom | Scotland, Spain, Norway |
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| Indonesia, Germany, Netherlands, Canada | United States, Australia, Italy | Pakistan, Bride's Maids, Instructors |
The bride and bridegroom return to the bride's home to offer tea to the bride's grandma, parents and uncles and aunties, as well as to receive congratulations from younger family members..
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| Returning to Bride's Home | Praying to Gods | Offer Tea to Grandmas |
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| Uncle and Auntie | Offering Tea to Parents | Bestowing Love |
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| Uncles and Aunties | Uncles and Aunties | Elder Cousins |
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| Receiving Congratulations | Receiving Congratulations | Bride's Family |
After serving tea, the newly wedded enjoyed some tit-bits with relatives and friends. Then they return to their new home to begin their happily married lives together.
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| Enjoying Tit-Bits | Leaving Parent's Home | Arriving at New Home |
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| A New Beginning | Bridal Chamber | Happily Married |
LINKS
Telling the Story of Sifu Wong Chun Nga's Wedding in Photos
Shaolin Wahnam International Show 2009
Courses and Classes