Historical development
In Yili Shihun Li: "Hun Li, you can accept it. With wild geese. " Zheng Xuan's note: "if you want to get married with him, you must first use the matchmaker's surname to talk to him, and then use the woman's surname to make him accept his choice." The gift is wild goose.
Since the Han Dynasty, the nacai ceremony has not been limited to the wild geese. Of course, geese are the most important. The trend of extravagance is gradually rising, and the rites of acceptance vary according to different identities. There are 30 kinds of rites, all of which have different symbolic meanings, such as sheep, vanilla and deer, which are auspicious to express blessing; glue, lacquer, hehuanling, Yuanyang and Phoenix are used to symbolize the couple's love for each other; or the merits and virtues of each object are used to encourage and encourage the couple, such as Puwei, Selaginella, sarira, blessed animal, fish, wild goose and jiuzifu.
In Sui and Tang Dynasties, it was stipulated that the dowry should be customized from the prince to the king. The standard of the dowry was a goose. One lamb, one wine millet, one rice flour.
In the Qing Dynasty, Chen Yi, who invited the wedding, had things in court, and it was fatal to serve the letter. The person in charge of the wedding, who received the letter, told the temple Li Bin. The number of jewelry is limited to four. [1]
At the beginning of Yongzheng period, custom-made, Han people accepted and got married, with more than four items, eight items for satin and jewelry, and ten items for food. The number of silk and fruit boxes for military and civilian use is limited to four. On the wedding day of the official, there are 12 people who use the official to be the Deacon. For those who are inferior to the official, there are four people who use the official to be the Deacon. For those who are inferior to the official, there are eight people who use the official to be the Deacon. All officials and people are not allowed to use money and gifts.
Subsequent matters
After "Na Cai", there is "Wen Ming", which means that the matchmaker asks the name, Nian Geng and "eight characters" of the woman. Through divination and fortune telling, we can see whether the two sides of the man and the woman will collide with each other and whether there are other places that are not suitable for forming a husband and wife. "Wen Ming" is also known as "Guo Xiaotie" or "he eight characters".
After "asking for the name" is "Naji". The father's parents give the eight characters of his son's birthday to the matchmaker and bring them to the woman. This is "too big tie" and "exchange Luan book", also known as "Tongshu". In fact, it means a bit of engagement.
The next "accept levy" is the most practical for the female family, which probably means to give betrothal gifts. Betrothal gifts have distinctive characteristics of the times. In ancient times, they were given to silk, and later to gold and silver.
