I’m back with more Chinese wedding posts! This week, I’m writing about the hair combing ceremony. Do check out my posts on the Chinese tea ceremony and wedding gifts if you missed them.
Why is the hair combing ceremony (梳头, shūtóu) important?
Chinese tradition believes that this ritual brings a long-lasting and harmonious marriage. Both the bride and groom will have their own hair combing ceremony.
When is it done?
It is usually conducted on the eve of the wedding by female elders, typically the parents.
In this photo of my aunty, the ceremony was performed before the groom came to fetch the bride. During the ritual, the parents recited four blessings:
- 一梳梳到尾 (First comb: may you stay together until the end of life)
- 二梳百年好合 (Second comb: may you enjoy harmony and happiness for a hundred years)
- 三梳子孙满堂 (Third comb: may you be blessed with many children and grandchildren)
- 四梳白发齐眉 (Fourth comb: may you grow old together with longevity)
When it was my wedding, my parents didn’t perform the hair combing ceremony as they hadn’t brought the necessary items over to the UK. Instead, they helped me put on my veil before the wedding. Unfortunately, I don’t have any photos to share, as no one took pictures while we were in the hotel room—such a shame.
After the hair combing ceremony, both the bride and groom bathe with water infused with pomelo or pomegranate leaves, then change into a new set of clothes and shoes. They will each eat a bowl of sweet soup with pink glutinous rice balls called tang yuan (汤圆), symbolising a complete and sweet marriage. Of course, these traditions are not as widely practised today, as many modern couples choose not to follow them strictly.
What do you need for the hair combing ceremony?
For the groom:
- Pointed comb
- Mirror
- Red string
- Ruler
- A pair of dragon and phoenix candles
- Lotus seeds (lian zi), red dates, and tang yuan (6 or 9 pieces)
- Fruits and meat
For the bride:
- Round comb
- Mirror
- Red string
- Sewing kit
- Ruler
- A pair of dragon and phoenix candles
- Lotus seeds (lian zi), red dates, and tang yuan (6 or 9 pieces)
- Fruits and meat
(Source: Hair Combing | 上头 | Golden Happiness)
For my sister’s wedding, my mother helped her put on her veil as my dad had passed away. So it doesn’t always require two people to perform the ceremony.
Next week, I’ll be writing about Yue Lao, the god of marriage and love in Chinese mythology.
such a lovely tradition. brings the whole family into the ceremony.
I just love these posts, they’re absolutely fascinating. Another great tradition 🙂
A hair combing ceremony? How brilliant!! What with that and the tea ceremony there are some lovely customs!!
this is so interesting!! I had no idea any of this went on before or at Chinese Weddings! Thanks for the great post. xx
Ohhh wow this is fab, loving reading all about this. x
What a lovely custom, so interesting to hear about customs from a different culture.
What a lovely custom, so interesting to hear about customs from a different culture.
I love reading about your different customs, there seem to be so many no wonder weddings go on for so long!
Your weddings must take hours! I think it’s really sweet and nice, it’s full of things that you would never do except for at a wedding 🙂
I love these posts, I’m really enjoying your photos and family stories.
Another really interesting post! I am loving reading about all of these traditions.
Very interesting. I didn’t know about the hair combing ceremony. A few of my friends have been married in China, I must ask them if they preformed it!
It’s amazing the different traditions each culture has!
I have never heard of this before…..So very interesting 🙂