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A Traditional Korean Wedding

Traditional Korean weddings are based on and centered on the Confucian values. Every aspect of the wedding, from the arrangements to the ceremony and after the celebration, had important and detailed steps to accompany them.

In traditional Korean culture (like many traditional cultures), the marriage between a man and a woman was decided by the bride and groom's elders. As in Confucian values, the family and their customs are placed above all else. Marriage is considered to be the most important part of one's life. This is not only a union between two individuals, but two families. In addition, marriage was a way (especially in elite families) to develop and/or maintain a social status. For these reasons, a significant amount of time was spoent in the preparations before we finally performed the actual wedding ritual. It goes in these three steps:

The first step is called Eui Hon, or "matchmaking", and that is when both the bride and groom's families discuss the possibility of a marriage. Various factors are taken into account; such as personality, appearance, academic performance, as well as material harmony that a fortune teller predicts. In general, Eui Hon is determined when the groom side sends a proposal for marriage and the bride side sends a reply letter that allows this marriage. If agreed, the groom sets a date for the ceremony. This second step is called Napchae, or "date setting". The groom's year, month, day and hour (according to the lunar calendar), known as Saju, is written down and wrapped up. Finally, the package is packed with a red and blue cloth, which is to be sent away to the bride's family. The groom's date of birth is sent to a fortune teller who sets the date based on Saju. When a date is decided, we go to the last step in pre-ceremonial traditions, called Napp'ae, or exchange of valuables. The groom sends a box to the bride with usually three main objects in it; Hanseo, Ch'aedan and Honsu. The most important are Hanseo, or marriage papers. This is given to the bride in devition to marry only one man. The wife is expected to keep this forever; at death, the paper were buried with the wife. Ch'aedan is a set of red and blue cloths used to  make clothes. The fierce red and the calm blue are a representation of the Yin & Yang philosophy. Honsu is a variety of other gifts given to the bride and groom. This may include household items, jewelry and clothing.

In ancient times, the wedding (Honrye) was held in the bride's garden or house. The groom would travel by horse to her home, and after the wedding ceremony, he'd take his wife in a palanquin to his parents' house to live. Hand lanterns are used to light the way from the groom's home to the bride's before the wedding. Traditionally, the groom's family would carry a wedding coffin filled with gifts for the bride's family.

Wedding geese are a symbol of a long and happy marriage. Cranes are a symbol of longevity and can be represented on a woman's belt. Pairs of mandarin wood carvings called wedding sandals were often used in the ceremonies because they represent peace, fidelity and abundant offspring.

And finally... Happily Ever After (hopefully)!

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How did ancient and traditional weddings look like in your country? Are some of your homeland's traditions still used today?

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