The Newlywed's Guide To A Happy Can An Chuang

The An Chuang (安床) ceremony is a Chinese tradition performed as part of a couple's wedding preparations. The ceremony involves decorating the matrimonial bed with items meant to bless the couple with a harmonious marriage and many children. The ceremony is usually conducted three days to a week before the wedding, though traditionally it would be held on an auspicious date and time. The groom's parents or grandparents typically perform the ceremony, though if they are not available, a woman of good fortune will decorate the bed. The bed is decorated with new bed linen in auspicious colours, such as red, pink, or lavender, and items from the betrothal gift ceremony. After the ceremony, there are several taboos to be observed until the wedding day, including that no one should touch, sit, or rest on the bed.

The An Chuang ceremony blesses the couple with a harmonious marriage and many children

The An Chuang (安床) ceremony is a Chinese wedding ritual that involves decorating the matrimonial bed with items symbolising blessings for a harmonious marriage and the hope of bearing many children. The ceremony is usually conducted three days to a week before the wedding, though traditionally it is held on an auspicious date and time.

The ceremony is typically performed by the groom's parents or grandparents, especially for couples belonging to the Teochew or Hokkien dialects. If the groom's family is unavailable, a 'good fortune' lady (好命婆) takes charge of the ceremony. A 'good fortune' lady is someone whose spouse, children, and grandchildren are still around.

The bed is decorated with new bed linen in auspicious colours like red, pink, or lavender, and items from the Guo Da Li or betrothal gift ceremony. A pair of bedside lamps are placed next to the bed and kept lit for three days.

The following items are placed on a red tray or plate:

• An even number of oranges
• Two red packets with gold coins of any amount, preferably with the number 9
• Pomegranate or pine tree leaves
• Dried longan
• Red dates
• Lily bulbs
• Walnuts or peanuts
• Lotus seeds
• Dried tangerine or melon slices

Fate coins are placed at the four corners of the bed, room, cupboards, and drawers to bring luck and prosperity. Antique Chinese coins are inserted top-facing into red packets and placed at each corner of the mattress and under each pillow.

After the items are placed, the following blessings are recited:

• 百年好合 (May you be blessed with a blissful and harmonious marriage for a century)
• 早生贵子 (May you be blessed with plenty of children quickly)
• 白头偕老 (May you grow old together)
• 永浴爱河 (May you always be filled with love for one another)

After the ceremony, children, especially boys, are invited to jump and roll on the bed to bless the couple with an abundance of children.

There are several taboos to observe after the An Chuang ceremony until the wedding day. No one should touch, sit, or rest on the bed. If the groom has to sleep on the bed before the wedding, he should be accompanied by a young boy born in the year of the Dragon. The bride should also avoid lying on the bed before the wedding as it is believed to lead to poor health.

The bed is decorated with items like new bed linen, fate coins and antique Chinese coins

The An Chuang (安床) ceremony is a Chinese wedding tradition that involves decorating the matrimonial bed with items symbolising good fortune, a harmonious marriage, and blessings for a lifetime filled with children. The bed is adorned with new bed linen in auspicious colours, such as red, pink, or lavender, symbolising joy and celebration.

The bed is then decorated with Fate Coins (大缘小缘) placed at its four corners, as well as at the four corners of the room, wardrobes, and drawers. These coins represent good fortune and positive energy, attracting prosperity and abundance for the newlyweds.

Antique Chinese coins are also an integral part of the ceremony. These coins are inserted into red packets, also known as angpows or angpaos, with the top of the coins facing upwards. These packets are then placed at each corner of the mattress and under each pillow. The red colour of the packets symbolises good luck, and the antique coins represent wealth and longevity, wishing the couple a rich and long life together.

The bed is also adorned with a pair of bedside lamps, which are lit and left on for three days after the ceremony. The warm glow of the lamps symbolises enlightenment, wisdom, and the illumination of the couple's new path together.

The combination of new bed linen, Fate Coins, and antique Chinese coins creates a powerful symbol of new beginnings, good luck, and a prosperous future for the couple, setting the foundation for a happy and blessed marriage.

The ceremony is conducted by the groom's parents or grandparents, or a 'good fortune' lady

The An Chuang ceremony is a Chinese tradition performed as part of a couple's wedding preparations. The ceremony involves decorating the matrimonial bed with items meant to bless the couple with a harmonious marriage and many children.

The An Chuang ceremony is typically conducted by the groom's parents or grandparents, especially for couples belonging to the Teochew or Hokkien dialects. If the groom's parents or grandparents are unavailable, a good fortune lady will conduct the ceremony. A good fortune lady is someone whose spouse, children, and grandchildren are all alive and well.

During the ceremony, the bed is decorated with new bed linens in auspicious colours such as red, pink, or lavender. A pair of bedside lamps are placed on either side of the bed and kept lit for three days after the ceremony. Fate coins are placed at the four corners of the bed, room, wardrobes, and drawers, while antique Chinese coins are inserted into red packets and placed at each corner of the mattress and under each pillow.

After the bed is decorated, blessings are recited by those involved in the ceremony. The blessings include wishes for a blissful and harmonious marriage, an abundance of children, and growing old together.

To conclude the ceremony, a young boy, preferably not born in the year of the tiger, is invited to roll on the bed to bless the couple with many children.

The bed is moved slightly and angled, and the fate coins are placed at the four corners

The An Chuang (安床) ceremony is a Chinese wedding tradition that involves setting up and decorating the matrimonial bed before the wedding. The ceremony is believed to bless the couple with a harmonious marriage and many children.

The An Chuang ceremony is usually conducted between three days to a week before the wedding. The groom and/or his parents or grandparents are typically involved in the ceremony, especially for couples from the Teochew or Hokkien dialects. If the groom's family is not available, a good fortune lady (好命婆) can lead the ceremony. A young boy whose horoscope doesn't clash with the couple and who is not born in the year of the Tiger is also invited to participate.

During the ceremony, the matrimonial bed is moved slightly out of position and angled. New bed linen in auspicious colours (red, pink, or lavender) is placed on the bed, along with items brought by the groom from the Guo Da Li ceremony. The bedside lamps are lit and left on for three days.

The Fate Coins (大缘小缘) are placed at the four corners of the bed, room, wardrobes, and drawers. These coins symbolise good fortune for the newlywed's family. The Antique Chinese coins are inserted into red packets, with one coin at each corner of the mattress and one under each pillow.

After the ceremony, there are several taboos to observe until the wedding day. No one should touch, sit, or rest on the bed. If the groom sleeps on the bed before the wedding, he should be accompanied by a young boy born in the year of the Dragon. The bride should avoid lying on the bed before the wedding, as it is believed to lead to poor health.

After the ceremony, there are taboos to be observed until the wedding day, such as no one touching the bed

The An Chuang ceremony is a Chinese tradition performed as part of a couple's wedding preparations. It involves decorating the matrimonial bed with items meant to bless the couple with a harmonious marriage and many offspring. The ceremony is usually conducted about three days to a week before the wedding.

After the ceremony, there are several taboos that must be observed until the wedding day to ensure the blessing of the marriage remains intact. Here are some of the taboos:

• No one should touch, sit or rest on the bed. This is believed to bring bad luck and foretell the death of one party if one side of the bed is left empty.
• The bride should avoid lying on the bed before the wedding as it is believed to lead to poor health.
• If the groom has to sleep on the matrimonial bed before the wedding, he should be accompanied by a young boy born in the year of the Dragon. It is believed that leaving one side of the bed empty brings bad luck and foretells the death of one party.

By observing these taboos, the couple ensures that their marriage starts on a positive and blessed note, with the hope of a harmonious and fruitful future together.

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