From India to Indonesia https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/42872803, China to Japan, Asia has a wealth of fantastic nations, sects and traditions. Below we explore some of the more substantial versions that have survived the test of time with regards to celebrations and marriage.
A Mehndi Service
A Mehndi Festival is an important pre-wedding ritual that takes place in many Asian cultures and involves the application of intricate henna designs on the hands and feet of the bride. This is thought to bring good luck, fertility and prosperity to the couple. This ceremony is often accompanied by music and dancing and it is customary for the bride’s female friends and relatives to also get their hands decorated with henna.
An important and metaphorical wedding custom known as the Chinese betrothal or Guo Da Li ceremony occurs to mark the start of a formal relationship between the bride and groom’s families. At this ceremony, which is typically followed by a family dinner party, several gift exchanges, including the Pin Li ( betrothal ang pao ) and Jia Zhuang ( bride’s dowry ) take place.
During this ceremony the bride is traditionally escorted to her indonesian women husband’s apartment by female members of her family who greet them at the entrance. She typically wears a red scarf, dress, or other piece of clothing, and is often adorned with gold and silver jewelry, particularly a collar made of dome-shaped bells called Kalire, which is said to protect against bad. The bride and groom subsequently exchange vows at a eastern marriage on a raised platform known as the Mandap, which is similar to the Mandap, where they make them promises.
