the differences and fusion in wedding customs between china and america

中美婚礼差异第一篇：中美婚礼差异as I know,the preparation of a traditional Chinese wedding is very complex.The western wedding are relatively simple but very romantic.They pay more attention to grave and holy.The church , the wedding oath, the wedding rings are more important.The high tide of the wedding is that the bride’s father give his daughter ‘s hand to the bridegroom.Then the couples exchange the rings and accept good wishes from their relatives.我知道，一个传统的中国婚礼的准备是很复杂的。

西方的婚礼是相对简单但很浪漫。

他们更注重庄重、神圣的。

教堂，婚礼的誓言，结婚戒指是更重要的。

婚礼的高潮，新娘的父亲把女儿交给新郎。

然后夫妻交换戒指并接受祝福他们的亲戚。

To the Chinese people , wedding must grand and lively, usually they would invite a lot relatives and friends.So the wedding location always choose the hotel which is convenient of traffic and capacious of space.对中国人来说，婚礼必须隆重热闹，他们通常会邀请很多亲戚朋友。

所以婚礼的地点总是选择酒店是交通和广阔的空间，方便。

A Comparative Study of Chinese and American Cultural Differences in Wedding Customs作者：李跃来源：《校园英语·上旬》2018年第06期【Abstract】Wedding is a religious ceremony or legal notarization ceremony， its significance is to get social recognition and blessing， to help the couple to adapt to new social roles and requirements， ready to take on social responsibility. Different nations and countries have their own wedding customs. This paper mainly talks about the wedding customs in China and America，through the comparatives and discussion about the differences in wedding patterns， wedding tones，and wedding dresses. Then it tries to analyze the possible causes that lead to the varieties such as different backgrounds， different concepts， different values. Finally， the development of globalization enables people to have more colorful and wonderful wedding ceremonies， also enhance further communication between China and America.【Key words 】wedding custom； difference； causes； significance【作者简介】李跃，海南大学。

摘要：中美文化有其共通之处，但也有很多的差异。

中国有着悠久的历史，经过长时间的文化积淀逐渐形成具有中国特色的传统文化。

美国虽然历史不长，但是美国文化已经成为世界的主流文化之一。

今天我们将从教育、宗教、饮食等方面来对比中美文化之间的异同，提高我们跨文化交际的能力。

关键字：中国，美国，文化异同，教育，宗教，饮食AbstractThere are some similarities between Chinese and American culture，but also kinds of differences。

China is a country that has a long history，in the long period cultural accumulation，the traditional culture with Chinese characteristics came into being。

Although the United S tates don’t have such a long history，American culture has become one of the mainstream culture in the world。

Today we’ll Compare the similarities and differences between Chinese and American cultures from three aspects:religion，education and food。

In this way，we can improve our ability of cross-culture communication。

Key words：China,America,similarities,differences,education,religion,food Differences between the Chinese and American culturesAs we know ,there are many differences between Chinese and American cultures. If we desire to learn about U.S or communicate with Americans in proper way ,it is necessary for us to know about cross-cultural communication. Cross-cultural communication (also referred to as intercultural communication) is a field of study that focus on how people from different cultural backgrounds communicate, in similar and different ways among themselves, and how they endeavor to communicate across cultures. Only if we are familiar with the similarities and differences can we avoid cultural conflicts and get along well with foreign friends. When you are conc erned about what you can do and what you can’t, your foreign friends will show respect for your national culture and there is no doubt that you can enhance the level of cross-culture communication .In the essay,I’ll talk about similarities and differences in three aspects between Chinese and American culture :religion ,food and festival.1.religionAmerica is remarkable now, as in the past,for its attachment to the principle of freedom of belief or disbelief . –The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States indicates that "Congress shall make no law establishing religion, orprohibit the free exercise thereof."So you can choose your indivisual relision.According to the research, The largest religion in the US is Christianity, practiced by the majority of the population (76% in 2008)；Speaking in general terms, the contemporary American is a Christian country. A research indicates that most Americans believe the existence of Santa Clous, Christ Jesus and angel even after they have received edu cation and become adults. It’s easy to see the ingrained status of Christianity in the United States of America. Christianity has the idea that people have original sin, because human ancestors, Adam and eva had sinned, corrupt moral invaded their body, and transmitted to their descendants, the result is that all mankind have sin. Obviously, Christianity preached that man and God, the separation of man and nature. China is a multi-religious country, and Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Christian are the main religions in the country. Incomplete statistics show that there are more than 100 million religious followers in China with over 85 000 religious sites, over 3000 religious groups and some 74 religious colleges. Chinese people also enjoy the freedom of religious belief according to law, and regular religious activities are protected by the Constitution. All religious believers and non-religious people in the country respect for each other in beliefs and customs and live together in harmonies. While Chinese religion would emphasize that the harmony between man and nature, issues of life within a confined themselves, to solve problems with people- oriented. It’s quite different from the Christianity.2.foodGenerally speaking, we Chinese think food is very important to man. People often associate food with important holidays and the chance to meet distinguished guests. The Chinese food not only is very delicious and tasty but also very pleasing to your senses and many of dishes have very beautiful and fancy names. The Chinese have the food culture of our own which are quite different from westerners. In the west, people pay more attention to the nutrition of food rather than the looks of it. The cuisine and table manners are quite different from ours in a great extent.It is a very common practice we Chinese people say "Have you had your meal?" when they meeteach other around the time before or after meals. In fact, it is a kind of greeting to communicate with each other. But foreigners cannot understand that because they think why you ask me this. They tend to think you want to invite me to dinner or I am not rich enough to feed myself regularly but that is my business not yours. Chinese think food is very important and essential to people so it shows some care and concern about you. Very often it puzzles foreigners a lot that we ask and talk so much when we order our food in the restaurant. One reason is we ask what the food or the dish is and try to clarify it because you sometimes never know what the food is just according the name of the food until it is put on your table in the restaurant just. While most of western food has a simple and clear name and you know what it is when you hear the name. For instance, there is a traditional food call "fish and chips" in the UK. You see it is very obvious it is fried fish and potato chips. The reason for this in China is on the one hand to try to tell you the way it cooks such as cook, fry, grill and broil in the name and on the other it has beautiful good names so that you have a good imagination and association to let you have a good appetite.Generally speaking, we don't use much tableware when we have our meal in China. Mainly we have bowl, dishes, chopsticks and spoons, which we don't use very often. In serving English meals, they use so much tableware with different kinds and sizes. The Chinese do not know how to use them properly when they are invited to dinner in English family. For example there are different kinds of names for glasses in English, such as wine glass, cherry glass, brandy glass, beer glass, snifter glass, champion flute and high bowl. You can see tableware also show the food culture of different countries.cationUs’s higher education was considered as the best education in the world. Comparing the elementary education between American and China, people's universal view will be: China's elementary education aims to build the foundation of education with more study and less thought; while US's education aims to bulid such an education to raise the creativity with less study and more thought. the Chinesestudents study more, actually pay little attention to the practice, and cannot study for the purpose of 's education pays more attention to raise student's self-confidence,independence,spirit of supporting oneself, but China's education emphases on training the students to be strict,rigorous spiritual. When American school inspects the result of student, they emphasize more on the ability to analyze and solve the question but not the ability of memory or description. The American students donot need the mechanical memorizing, but display creative thought as far as possible; This can cultivate student's study interest, raise the ability of doing it byself and make the study be one kind of creative action.Conclusion:Chinese culure is broad and profound,but American culture also has its unique and style.After learning this class,I have a general impression on American culture,there are quite differences between Chinese and American culture.I think that it’s beneficial to be familiar to this differences for our cross-cultual communication.References[1]Luther S.Luedtke<The Society and Culture of the United States>America:United States information Agency,2003[2]托马斯﹒里克纳《美式家庭——品质教育家长对策》海南：海南出版社，2001年(2)[3]章创生《美国爸爸中国爸爸——向美国家长学教子》重庆：重庆出版社，2011(6)[4]董小川《美国文化概论》.北京：人民出版社，2006[5]铁梅《道教——中国道家文化百科999问》青海：青海人民出版社，2012(1)[6]赵林《西方宗教文化》武昌：武汉大学出版社，2011年(6)[7]学晏《佛家与管理》北京：社会科学文献出版社，2012年(6)[8]徐怀启《古代基督教史》上海：上海人民出版社，2012（6）[9]（美）米拉德﹒丁.艾利克森《基督教神学导论》上海：人民出版社，2012（6）[10]李维冰《中国饮食文化概论》北京：中国商业出版社，2006（6）[11]美国饮食文化，/view/2143412.htm。

中国某某某某学校学生毕业设计(论文)题目：中西方婚俗差异姓名： 00000班级、学号： 0000000000系 (部) ：经济管理系专业：商务英语指导教师： 00000开题时间： 2009-04-10完成时间： 2009-11-082009 年11 月08 日目录课题中西方婚俗差异一、课题(论文)提纲二、内容摘要三、参考文献On Differences of Marriage CustomsBetween China and Western Countries00000000Abstract:There are many procedures in Chinese Marriage custom. The book Propriety and Ceremony,which records earliest wedding ceremony, says that marriage includes six etiquettes, namely, proposing, asking the name, asking for fortune, sending betrothal presents to the girl's family, discussing the date of marriage and meeting the bride. In western marriage, there are four procedures. They are proposal, changing surnames, choosing the day and holding the wedding. As the different religions, cultural origins, marriage concepts and geographies, there are many differences existing in the two kinds of Marriage customs. In Chinese Marriage custom, the matchmaker functions almost all the time and youths have no right to choose and women are not on an equal footing with men. By contrast, in western Marriage custom, the priest functions and the youths have legal right to choose whom they want to marry and men and women are equal. There also exist common things in the two sides. They have been maintained for thousands of years. But in recent years (especially after the founding of modern China), people havetended to discard some of the details and advocate simplified marriage procedures and wedding ceremonies.key words：Marriage custom; differences; reasonsIntroductionMarriage is formed in a long historical evolution of the marriage custom in a nation. It is the regularity of the activities that restrains people's awareness of marriage. Marriage custom’s binding does not depend on the law, and it can not rely on science tests neither, but on the force of habit, traditional culture and national psychology. During the development of human history, the institution of marriage and family system has experienced different processes of development. Human have experienced group marriage, the dual system of marriage and individual marriage system (monogamy). As a union of a man and a woman and a family formation stage, marriage includes not only marriage, but also the preparation phase for the marriage and the performance stage after the festivities. It runs through the whole process of life. These customs, as a national symbol and cultural development, plays a very important role in ethnic studies and the history of mankind.China is a country with an ancient civilization and a long history, and many customs. Among so many customs, there is a particular marriage custom. This custom goes through various and long stages of development from ancient simple wedding ceremony to later complex ceremony, from feudal marriage custom to the modern free marriage custom. During these courses, people’s ideas are progressing, though we can not say that their ideas are up to the top of mankind’s ideas in all over the world at all over the time because there are still backward ideas existing in many places, in many people’s mind and they maybe will still exist for a long time. However, they are up to the top of mankind’s ideas in a certain stage of the uninterrupted development of ideas.Greek civilization is the base of western culture. Britain plays an important role in western history and western culture, and of course marriage custom.Comparing with each other, they are different in many aspects such as in right aspect and in freedom aspect and there are many reasons that result in these differences such as cultural reason and geographical reason.1.Chinese Marriage CustomLike other folk, marriage custom has the same developmentand evolving process. In the early days of humanity, the human relationship in a very long period of time still carried the irregular relations like the animal world. There was no marriage at all, if suggest some, the only "arbitrary marriage."In China, marriage has gone through for a long time. As a most grand etiquette, it has always been a high degree of attention. To control the marriage, the family and the whole society, since the beginning of Zhou Dynasty, Chinese marriage should comply with six procedures, which is the so-called "six etiquettes." And Later in Tang and Ming Dynasty in China, marriage also complied with the "six etiquettes". As time goes by, although many wedding customs experienced various changes "Six etiquettes" as the basic pattern has not changed much. It is still essential and core in marriage custom.. Marriage has changed much today, but in many places, there still remains traditional marriage custom.In feudal society, a marriage would be decided not by the youths’ love, but by their parents' desires. Only after a matchmaker's introduction and when parents considered the two family conditions were similar and could be matched, would the marriage procedures went forward. Conditions that should betaken into consideration included wealth and social status. If a boy's family was well-off or an official family, his parents would never permit him to marry a girl from a poor family. Essential to the marriage process were the commonly recognized 'three Letters and six etiquettes'. The three letters were the betrothal letter, the gift letter with a gifts list and the wedding letter used on the day the bridegroom met his bride at her home.The book propriety and ceremony, which records earliest wedding ceremony, says that marriage, usually, involves six necessary procedures, namely, proposing, asking the name, asking for fortune, sending betrothal present to girl's family, discussing date of marriage and meeting the bride.1.1 ProposingProposing is the first etiquette in marriage and is the first meet between the members in the two families. Thus, it is very important. Using a common expression, it is making an offer of marriage to another family on behalf of the son or daughter.If the parents thought that the girl could be the daughter-in-law in old times, they would ask a matchmaker for sending the gifts and bring the son and the girl together. Ifthe girl’s parents also agreed on the marriage, they would accept the gifts. People usually used a wild goose when sending the gifts. Because the wild gooses could fly to the south or the north according to the seasons and they would never change it which implied the woman would be punctual and also because when the wild gooses flied they were in a row and when they stopped they were in a line which implied that woman should comply with the marriage rules and arrange in order that one should not breach it.1.2 Asking the NameIt aims to ask for girl’s name and pray.In ancient times the girl’s name would not be known by other people until the girl was in an age of marriage.First, one must have the matchmaker and inform of the man’s family through a card. And the man’s family would lastly receipt for postal remittance. Thus it can be seen that “asking the name” not only meant that the man’s family wanted to know the girl’s name, but also wrote down the woman’s birthday and Eight-characters (in four pairs denoting the time, date, month and year of a person’s birth, each pair consisting of one Heavenly Stem and one Earthly Branch, used in fortune-telling). If the birthday and Eight-characters were not harm the man, theman’s family would lastly receipt for postal remittance. Sometimes the woman’s parents also wrote down the official position of the woman’s great-grandpa, grandpa and father and the dowry that could be supplied. What’s interesting is that during this progress it was the matchmaker that functioned, not the man’s family or the woman’s family. Matchmaker was also important in the other procedures. In traditional Chinese marriage, people believed “behest of the parents and proposal of a matchmaker”. That’s why many marriages in the past were arranged by parents and matchmakers. Matchmaker’s proposal was the marriage’s valid basis in Tang dynasty.It has been simplified today. Many marriage does not nee this process.1.3 Asking for FortunedAfter asking the name, the bridegroom’s side had got the woman’s birthday and Eight-Characters and they went to consult a fortune-teller then which was called “asking for fortune”. It included two aspects of contents. One was consult the female virtues. Ancient people regarded female virtues as the most important one in the gospel of three obedience that were obedience to one’s father before marriage, to one’s husband after marriage, and to one’s son after one’s husband’s deathand four virtues that was morality, proper speech, modest manner, and diligent work for a woman according to Confucian ethics.Zhong lichun, Zhuge Liang’s wife (Zhuge Liang was a statesman and strategist in the period of the Three Kingdoms, now a symbol of wisdom in Chinese folklore) was famous for her ugliness, wisdom and high female virtues. A man in old times always had many wives. In order to solidifying and stead in the family, people paid much attention to female virtues. Hence there was the saw “Marry wife is marrying virtues and take a concubine is marrying appearance”.The other one was consult good or bad luck. If they were not fit for each other in Eight-Characters according to the birthday and what’s more, the woman would harm the man, the result was that this marriage would not be held and would be cancelled. If the result was fit for each other and moreover the woman would make the man prosperous, the man’s side would inform the woman’s side through the matchmaker and send the betrothal gifts and exchange cards. Thus the marriage was actually decided to be held.1.4 Sending Betrothal Presents to the Girl’s FamilyThe book propriety and ceremony wrote by the scholars inHan dynasty regards it as sending money. If there is no receipt of gifts, there is no marriage. Hence whether receipt the gifts or not is the implication of the agreement of the marriage by the woman’s side.The significance of it includes two aspects of meaning. One is the thanks for the woman’s parents because the parents feed up her. The other is help the woman’s family prepare for dowry.1.5 Discussing the Date of MarriageIn the past, the bridegroom’s side decided the lucky day and sent the matchmaker to inform of the woman’s family. People paid much attention to the marriage time. They usually had a person looked at the almanac or asked for fortune. They liked having marriage in spring or autumn because spring was the time that everything comes back to life and time when spring was changing into summer and was favor to pregnant with new life; autumn was the season of harvest. After the labor for a year, people had enough money to hold the marriage.Nowadays, it is also an important event. People pay many attentions to it.1.6 Meeting the BrideThe marriage is finally held after the five procedures. In the past, the bridegroom wore wedding suit, riding on a horse, and guided the bridal sedan chair to marry the bride on the day.And the bride wore a red cheongsam waiting for the bridegroom. Now, the bridegroom wares western suit, and the bride wares wedding dress and usually in a car.2. Western Marriage CustomIn the middle ages children were married at a young age. Girls were as young as 12 when they got married, and boys as young as 14. The arrangement of the marriage was based on monetary worth. The family of the girl who was to be married gave a dowry, or donation, to the boy she was to marry. The dowry went with her when the marriage was held and stayed with the boy forever after the marriage. After the marriage was arranged, a wedding notice was posted on the door of the church. The notice was put up to ensure that there were no grounds for prohibiting the marriage. The notice stated who was to be married, and if anyone knew any reasons that the two could not marry, they were to come forward with the reason. If the reason was a valid one the wedding would be prohibited.There are many reasons for prohibiting a marriage. One reason was consanguinity, if the two were too closely related. If the boy or the girl had taken a monastic or religious vow, the marriage was also prohibited. Sometimes widows or widowers took vows of celibacy on the death of their spouse, and laterregretted doing so when they could not remarry. Other reasons which also prohibited marriage, but were not grounds for a divorce, were rape, adultery, and incest. A couple could not be married during a time of fasting, such as lent or advent. Nor could a couple be married by someone who had killed someone.In the middle ages there were few reasons the wedding could be dissolved. One reason was if either the man or woman were not of legal age, 12 for girls and 14 for boys. If the husband or wife had previously made a religious or monastic vow or were not Christian, the marriage would be dissolved. The last reason a marriage could end was if the woman, not the man, was incapable of sexual relations.2.1 ProposalWhen the prospective groom had obtained his father’s consent to marry, a formal marriage proposal had to be made. The prospective groom did not propose in person but sent his friends or members of his family to represent his interest to the prospective bride and her family. If they saw a blind man, a monk or a pregnant woman during their journey, it was believed that the proposal would not be accepted as these signs were thought to bring bad luck. If, however, they saw nanny goats, pigeons or wolves, this was a good omen which would bring goodfortune to the marriage.During Medieval times in western countries, the man proposed by leaving a hawthorn branch at the door of his beloved on the first of May. By leaving the branch at the door she accepted his proposal. She made known her refusal by replacing the hawthorn branch with a cauliflower.2.2 Changing SurnamesIt was thought unlucky for a woman to marry a man whose surname began with the same letter as hers. The sentiment was summarized in the following thyme: To change the name and not the letter is to change for the worst and not the better. The bride should not practice writing her new name before the wedding. This was thought to bring bad luck by tempting fate.2.3 Choosing the DayAlthough most weddings now take place on a Saturday, it was considered unlucky in the past. Fridays were also considered unlucky particularly Friday the 13th. The famous old rhyme advised a wedding in the first half of the week:Monday for wealthTuesday for healthWednesday the best day of allThursday for lossesFriday for crosses (= funerals)Saturday for no luck at allAdvice on which month to marry in was given by the following rhyme:Married when the year is new, he'll love, kind and true. When February birds do mate, you neither wed nor dread your fate.If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know.Marry in April when you can, Joy for Maiden and for Man. Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day. Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you'll go. Those who in July do wed, must labor for their daily bred. Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine. If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry. If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember. When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last. Marry in May and you'll live to rue the dayMay had been considered an unlucky month to marry in for a number of reasons. In Pagan times the Feast of the Dead and the festival of the goddess of chastity both occurred in May.The advice was taken more seriously in Victorian times than it is today. In most Churches the end of April was a busy time for weddings as coupes wanted to avoid being married in May. Queen Victoria was thought to have forbidden her children from marrying in May.June was considered to be a lucky month to marry in, because it was named after Juno, the Roman goddess of love and marriage.The summer as a whole was considered a good time to marry and this was partly to do with the sun's association with fertility. In Scotland one popular custom was for the bride to "walk with the sun" to bring her good. She would walk from east to west on the south side of the church and then continue walking around the church three times.2.4 Holding the WeddingThe wedding ceremony was finally held.The church ceremony in the middle ages took place outside the church door before entering the church for a nuptial mass. During the ceremony in front of the church doors the man stood on the right side and the woman stood on the left side, facing the door of the church. “The reason was that she was formed out of a rib in the left side of Adam.” The priest began by asking if anyone knew of any reason the couple should not be married. He also asked thisof the man and woman so they might confess any reasons for prohibiting their marriage.The ceremony proceeded with the priest saying, “N (amen) wilt though have this woman to thy wedded wife, wilt the love her, and honor her, keep her and guard her, in health and in sickness, as a husband should a wife, and forsaking all others on account of her, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?” Then the priest, changing the wording of “as a husband should a wife”, asked the same of the woman. Both the man and the woman should answer by saying” I will.” At this time the woman was given by her father. The wedding continued with the saying of vows. Both the man and the woman, with the exception of the words wife and husband, said, “I N. take thee N. to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, till death do us part, if the holy church will ordain it. And thereto I plight thee my troth.” At this time the ring exchange occurred. They bowed their heads and the priest gave them a blessing. As husband and wife they entered the church, where they knelt before the altar. At the altar the priest gave a prayer and a blessing, thus ending the marriage ceremony.If the bridegroom and bride did not belong to England ofChurch, they must use the second marriage form, according to the law, that was go to the marriage registrant to hold a secular marriage ceremony.3. Differences between themIt is clear that Chinese marriage custom and western marriage custom differ from each other in many aspects. In Chinese marriage custom the matchmaker has many functions and youths have no right to choose and women are not on an equal footing with men. By contrast, in western marriage custom, the priest has functions and the youths, particular the man, have legal right to choose whom they wanted to marry and men and women are equal.3.1 Different Marriage MediaMatchmaker and priest are different. Matchmaker has many functions. Almost in every process in marriage in old times, the matchmaker would attend. First, it was the matchmaker that introduced a man to a woman or a woman to a man, most the former. If matchmaker did not introduce them to each other, they would not know about each other for ever. If some accident event happened, that is they knew each other not through the matchmaker, they would be called “committing adultery with each other “or “a thief if a man and a whore if a woman”.Second, the other procedures after introduction in marriage were also done by the matchmaker.There are three conditions in marriage in old China that were the matchmaker’s proposals, six gifts and meet, people kept honoring the ancestors as the center in these three conditions. The regulation of listening to matchmaker’s proposals was the rule that people must abide by. The reason was not only the function the matchmaker had in society, but also the meaning that the matchmaker had in later generation reproduction.In modern times, matchmaker still has some of above functions such as the function of introduction.Priest does not always function. It is his duty only when he hosts the wedding ceremony. It was not the priest who introduces the man to the woman or the woman to the man.In Christian’s opinions, wedding ceremony is considered as an important way to get god’s save and wedding ceremony is a very important part of marriage. Priest plays an essential role in it. And marriage is not valid, unless the ceremony is hosted by priest. There are three conditions in marriage too. First, there should be some correct things that is used when go to church; second, correct means to go to church especiallycorrect reading prayer book; third, correct motive to go to church which emphasizes action by church’s order. It can be seen that church is important in western people’s eyes, so the priest is necessary when holding a marriage. And marriage is tinged with mystery because of these conditions.3.2 Differences on freedomIn old China, people looked at the country and society as the standard, thus, “behest of parents” played an absolute important role in marriage. It was the principles of heaven and earth—right and proper when parents dealt with the son's or daughter's marriage only by their own opinions. Marriage in China was arranged by family. “Behest of parents and proposals of matchmaker” decided everything about marriage. Usually the husband and the wife did not meet each other before getting married. They did not know what their husband or wife liked. Even sometimes they did not know the names of each. If they did not agree the marriage, it was no use because the right of decision belonged to their parents. The marriage would still be held. The youths are not free when chose the lover in some places even today.Marriage marks the beginning of complete independence from the parents. According to the English law, no one was allowedto get married under the age of sixteen. Marriage between the age of sixteen and eighteen must have the parents’ consent. But when the girl was over eighteen, she was free to choose her love. Youths in Britain were relatively free. In Britain, church pointed out “agreement principle” which pointed out that the marriage was valid only when the two persons involved in marriage expressed freely and openly in front of at least two chief witness at wedding ceremony; the marriage was not valid when there existing misunderstanding or force in marriage. Under this “agreement principle”, the father should listen to the daughter’s suggestion, and the father should not force the daughter to marry with the man whom she did not want to marry. Thus, it can be seen from this point that, one’s willing was superior to anything.3.3 Differences on rightChinese men were hold up as “sky” and women were considered as “earth” in old times. Sky was superior to earth in old people’s eyes. And women must comply with three obedience and four virtues. But man could have a wife and many concubines. In north of China in some places, husband and wife are still unequal.The Bible says that husband should respect wife becauseboth of them are blessed by God. And it emphasizes that the relations between husband and wife should include duty.3.4 Different Purposes of MarriageThe main purpose of getting marriage in China is to continue the male offspring. The so-called “there are three forms of filial impiety, of which the most serious is to have no heir”reflects the importance to serve ancestors. And the filial piety is traditional virtues.In western countries, they are influenced deeply by religion, especially the Christianity. They think that it is the God who has created marriage. There are three purposes of the marriage created by God. First, the couple is lifelong companion with each other; they serve God together. Then get married, start career and produce an heir to carry on the pious descendants. The final purpose is carrying on the pious descendants to serve to God. So they do not stress the blood relationship. They can remedy the defect of non-child by adopting other children.4. Reasons for the Differences4.1 ReligionsAmong all the religion by which people seek to worship, Christianity is by far the most influential in the west. Everyphase of man’s life is touched by this religion, so much so that it has become part and parcel of western culture. British dominant religious belief is Christian faith; or rather the U.K. is a country of Christianity.Bishop ordered marriage law as the fourth chapter in 1234. After issuing the law, it was carried on under the strong church control. In 1917, the marriage law referred: wedding ceremony should be held by priest or at least two witness; the willing should be true and not be forced.Most Chinese people believes Buddhism which advocates “why and because relationship”. In this point of view, sky is the reason, and earth is the result; parents are the reason, and sons or daughters are the result; husband is the reason, and wife is the result.4.2 Cultural OriginsTraditional Chinese traditional marriage custom was characterized by a distinctive patriarchal clan system. “Three obedience and four virtues” decided that women should become an appendage to the men and be subordinated to the family interest. It was also characterized by strong feudal political color. Marriage sometimes was a kind of ways to ally in political. The policy of cementing friendly relations throughpolitical marriages was a typical example in history. The traditional marriage custom was influenced deeply by Confucianism.There sill exists differences between males and females in marriage custom today. This phenomenon is also caused by the traditional Chinese culture.Western marriage custom is influenced deeply by religion, however, which emphasizes both men and women are God’s sons and daughters, so they are equal unlike Chinese who pay more attentions to boys. Western people consider girls are also the fruit of love.4.3 Marriage ConceptsChinese people once thought that marriage was a kind of ways to increase families, offspring and protect and enhance family’s reputation and position. Marriage would add a girl of a clan other than one’s own, so marriage was looked as the important event of family but not one’s own event. The love between the man and the woman was not the first condition of marriage. Today the marriage concepts have not changed much especially in some backward places. The aim of getting marriage for them is till to increase families, offspring and protect and enhance family’s reputation and position.In western countries, marriage is the love’s home to return to. The aim of marriage is to make the woman and the man live together all the life. It is the personal affair. They have no duty to increase family, offspring and protect and enhance family’s reputation and position. The marriage just make them live together. Thus those westerners stress feeling not the family’s interest or reputation when they are choosing lover.4.4 GeographiesBritain is over one thousand kilometers from south to north. Its coastline runs about ten thousand kilometers, making it one of the countries with the longest coastlines in the world. In Britain no place is over one hundred and twenty kilometers from the sea. During the fight with the sea, British people feel the strong force of the nature that is difficult to control. Thus they believed God. They think God is omnipotent and they respect God very much.China’s geography is extremely varied and complex, including mountains, plateaus, plains, grasslands, basins, hills, islands, desert, glaciers, and frozen earth. Mountain areas cover about two-thirds of the total land area. This geography decides that Chinese people live mainly by farming and live in groups, and later formed the patriarchal clan system with rigidly stratified. This makes Chinese people respect the。

中西方婚礼差异英语作文As an old saying goes: marriage is the most important matter in women’s life. Marriage is a very important part in one’s life. So does the wedding ceremony. However, different countries have different wedding ceremonies because of the culture difference. There are many differences between the Chinese wedding ceremony and the wedding ceremony in western countries.In China, when the bridegroom picks up the bride from the bride’s house, it is always beset with difficulties. For example, the family of the bride will not let the bridegroom enter the house except that the bridegroom gives them red paper containing money as a gift; after the bridegroom get into the house, the family of the bride will hide the shoes of the bride in order to stop the bride going out with the bridegroom. And then when they come out of the house, the bride has to step over a brazier and a saddle, which means booming and safe. After that they will get to the bridegroom’s house where a wedding ceremony will be held. The toastmaster of wedding ceremony is always a matchmaker of the newly-weds.In ancient China, people always stood for the theory that man is an integral part of nature. Thus there are three major ceremonies in wedding ceremony. First, the newly-weds kowtow to the heaven and earth; second, they will kowtow to their parents; thirdly, they will kowtow to each other.It means that newly-weds get the permission of getting married from god and parents. And then the bridegroom and the bride give a cup of tea to their parents. After that their parents should give red packets to them.In the end, the bride gets into the bridal chamber and the bridegroom stays at the banquet to entertain guests with food and liquor and drinks a toast to all of guests. At the end of the ceremony, the best friends of the newly-weds stay and celebrate wedding in bridal chamber. The steps of Chinese wedding ceremony are extremely complex, however, the ceremony is also lively and jubilant.The main color in Chinese traditional wedding is red, the so-called “Chinese Red”, which is a color representing a festival atmosphere and good luck. The bride usually wears red phoenix coronet, red gown and a red scarf, which means everything goes well and that the new couples will have a prosperous life. The groom usually wears starched suits, if possible and more traditionally, he may wear a red gown, mandarin jacket and a red brimmed hat. In the heart of Chinese people, Chinese dragon and phoenix are considered to be scared and beautiful and a symbol of the best marriage. As a result, phoenix is usually embroidered in ancient woman’s clothing and there is also Longfeng embroidery in bedding. Now due to the western wedding customs, more and more Chinese people begin to accept a white wedding dress.However, i n the West, people’s religious belief is very clear, firmand of great importance. The way they arrange their wedding ceremony is in accordance with their religious belief. We can easily find that the Westerners’ wedding has a strong religious taste, which cause the differences in wedding customs.In the western wedding, the ceremony is always quiet and holy. There aren’t so many steps for the newly-weds when they are getting married. In the western countries, wedding ceremonies are always held in churches. At the wedding day, all friends and families of the bridegroom and the bride are invited to the wedding. With the music starts, the bride and her father will walk into the church hand in hand. And then the ceremony starts. The pastor who is the toastmaster of wedding starts to officiate at a marriage. He will tell the significance of marriage to everybody in the church. According to the traditional habitude, the pastor will let the bride and the bridegroom to promise to each other, “no matter good or bad it is, rich or poor it is, weak or healthy we are, I swear I will love you and cherish you until I die.”Then the bridegroom will kiss the bride and they exchange the wedding rings. After that, there will be a big feast and the type of food in the feast is depended on the favor of the bride and her families. There are so many prismatic wedding cakes in the corner. Traditionally, the bridegroom and the bride will hold the knife together and cut cakes. This is the first thing they do together. It indicates one thing that since thenthey will live happily and sweet. And they will eat cakes with guests. After eating, women who don’t get married get together to wait for the bride throw the bouquet of flowers to them and the woman who catches the bouquet will get married next. Because they think that the bouquet of flowers means happiness.After throwing the bouquet, the bride will throw the garter and the man who catches the garter will marry a beautiful girl soon. Next, all guests throw rice to the bridegroom and the bride because it expresses the best wishes to them.At the end of the ceremony, the bridegroom and the bride will drive the wedding car to make a wedding trip. Going on a honeymoon is a romantic thing. This activity will help the newly-weds enhance their sweet and happy life.The main color in western wedding ceremony is white, which is a symbol of celebration in Roman times, a symbol of wealth from 1850 to 1900 and represents purity since the beginning of 20th century than any other times. The bride wears a white wedding dress, while the groom is dressed in starched suits. The westerners think the white color has relation to virginity. In the Catholic tradition, the white color represents happiness, holiness and fidelity, so the bride’s flowers and the decoration of surrounding environment are also in white.From the above aspects, we can easily see that the venue, color,dress, and marriage customs are very different between Chinese and western traditional weddings. On one hand, western wedding ceremony is terrific and romantic while Chinese wedding ceremony is traditional and special. On the other side, western wedding is simple while Chinese wedding is complex. No matter you choose the Chinese style or the western style, you should marry the one you love best, and then you can enjoy a beautiful life.。

中国婚礼和西方婚礼的区别英语作文举例Chinese wedding and Western wedding have many differences in terms of traditions, customs, and practices. In this article, we will explore some of the key differences between the two types of weddings.One of the most noticeable differences between Chinese and Western weddings is the attire worn by the bride and groom. In a Chinese wedding, the bride typically wears a red dress called a qipao, which symbolizes happiness and good luck. The groom usually wears a black or blue suit. In contrast, Western brides often wear white or ivory gowns, while grooms wear tuxedos or suits.Another major difference is the ceremony itself. In a Chinese wedding, there are several traditional rituals that must be performed, such as the tea ceremony, where the bride and groom serve tea to their parents as a sign of respect and gratitude. In Western weddings, the ceremony usually follows a more standardized format, with the couple exchanging vows and rings in front of an officiant.The role of the family is also different in Chinese and Western weddings. In China, the family plays a significant role inthe wedding planning process, often contributing financially and making important decisions. In Western cultures, the focus is more on the couple themselves, with less involvement from extended family members.In terms of food, Chinese and Western weddings also differ significantly. Chinese wedding banquets are typically very elaborate affairs, with multiple courses of food served to guests. Western weddings may also include a sit-down dinner, but the menu is usually more varied and may include dishes from different cuisines.The symbolism associated with certain wedding traditions is another key difference between Chinese and Western weddings. For example, in China, the color red is considered lucky and is often used in wedding decorations and attire. In Western cultures, white symbolizes purity and is a common color choice for wedding attire and decorations.Finally, the concept of "bride price" is a unique practice in Chinese weddings. In some regions of China, the groom must pay a sum of money or gifts to the bride's family in order to marry her. This custom is not typically found in Western weddings, where the focus is more on the exchange of vows and rings between the couple.In conclusion, Chinese and Western weddings have many differences in terms of traditions, customs, and practices. While both types of weddings are celebrations of love and commitment, the specific rituals and cultural significance vary significantly between the two. By understanding and appreciating these differences, we can gain a greater appreciation for the diversity of wedding ceremonies around the world.。

中国婚礼和西方婚礼的区别英语作文Chinese wedding and Western wedding are two different types of wedding ceremonies that have unique customs and traditions. In this article, we will explore the differences between the two types of weddings in terms of ceremonies, rituals, and cultural significance.Chinese wedding ceremonies are typically more traditional and symbolic compared to Western weddings. The Chinese wedding ceremony consists of several rituals and customs that have been passed down for generations. One of the key elements of a Chinese wedding is the Tea Ceremony, where the bride and groom serve tea to their parents and elders as a sign of respect and gratitude. This ceremony symbolizes the union of two families and the joining of two individuals in marriage.On the other hand, Western weddings are often more modern and romantic in nature. Western wedding ceremonies typically follow a specific timeline and include rituals such as exchanging vows, exchanging rings, and the kiss. These ceremonies are often held in churches, outdoor venues, or other scenic locations. Western weddings also typically include a reception with dinner, dancing, and toasts to the newlyweds.Another key difference between Chinese and Western weddings is the attire worn by the bride and groom. In Chinese weddings, the bride typically wears a red dress called a qipao or a traditional Chinese dress called a cheongsam. Red is considered a lucky and auspicious color in Chinese culture, symbolizing happiness and prosperity. The groom usually wears a traditional Chinese suit called a tang suit or a Western-style tuxedo.In contrast, Western brides typically wear a white wedding gown, symbolizing purity and innocence. The groom usually wears a suit or tuxedo in a neutral color like black, navy, or gray. Western brides often wear a veil and carry a bouquet of flowers, while Chinese brides may wear a red veil and carry a fan or a silk bouquet.In terms of cultural significance, both Chinese and Western weddings are seen as important milestones in a couple's life. However, Chinese weddings are often seen as morefamily-oriented and community-focused, with an emphasis on respect for elders and traditional customs. Western weddings, on the other hand, are often viewed as more individualistic and focused on the love and commitment between the bride and groom.Overall, Chinese and Western weddings have their own unique customs, rituals, and cultural significance. While both types of weddings celebrate the union of two individuals in marriage, they do so in different ways that reflect the values and traditions of their respective cultures. Whether you prefer the traditional and symbolic elements of a Chinese wedding or the modern and romantic flair of a Western wedding, both types of weddings are beautiful and meaningful celebrations of love and commitment.。

对中西方婚礼文化差异的看法英语作文Weddings Around the WorldWeddings are super cool! They're big parties where two people declare their love for each other in front of family and friends. But did you know that weddings can look really different depending on where you live? Let me tell you about some of the awesome differences between Chinese weddings and Western weddings.In China, red is the luckiest color, so Chinese brides usually wear stunning red dresses on their big day. The dress is often decorated with gorgeous embroidery and symbols like dragons and phoenixes that represent love and prosperity. Western brides, on the other hand, traditionally wear white dresses. The white color represents purity and innocence. Some Western brides also wear veils covering their faces until the ceremony starts. Isn't that mysterious and romantic?Speaking of ceremonies, Chinese weddings and Western weddings both have special rituals, but they're quite different. At a Chinese wedding, the groom has to go through a bunch of challenges set up by the bride's family before he can see his bride! He might have to answer tricky riddles or eat weird foods.Once he passes the tests, he can finally go pick up his bride. In Western weddings, the bride's father traditionally "gives away" his daughter to the groom during the ceremony. The couple also exchanges rings and makes vows promising to love each other forever.After the ceremonies, it's party time! Chinese weddings usually have amazing 10-course feasts with super yummy dishes like whole roasted pigs and sharks' fin soup. Guests at Western weddings don't eat quite as much, but they do get to enjoy a delicious wedding cake! The cake has multiple tiers stacked on top of each other, and the bride and groom cut the first slice together. Sometimes the couple even smushes cake in each other's faces for fun!Another fun tradition is throwing the bouquet and the garter. At Western weddings, the bride throws her bouquet of flowers over her shoulder, and whatever single lady catches it is said to be the next to get married. The groom also removes a piece of lacy fabric from the bride's leg and throws it into the crowd of single guys. Whoever catches the garter will supposedly be the next to tie the knot. Sounds like a wild time!Both Chinese and Western cultures have cool money traditions too. At Chinese weddings, guests stuff cash intospecial red envelopes as gifts for the newlyweds. In Western weddings, guests don't give cash directly. Instead, they pick out gifts from the couple's wedding registry, which is a list of household items the couple needs to start their new life together.After all the excitement of the wedding day, Chinese newlyweds have one more ritual to go through. A month after getting married, they have to attend certain ceremonies and be served a "baby basket" filled with fruits, nutrients, and special herbs that are supposed to help them have a baby soon. Having kids is really important in Chinese culture, so everybody really hopes the newlywed couple will be blessed with a child before too long.Well, those are some of the biggest differences between weddings in China and weddings in Western countries. No matter where you're from, though, weddings are all about celebrating the amazing bond of love and commitment between two soul mates. I can't wait until I'm grown up and can experience the magic of a wedding for myself someday!。

学号：*******毕业论文（设计）（2011 届）题目The Comparison of Wedding in Chineseand American Cultures.系部语言与传播系专业英语班级 112班学生姓名丁雪姗成绩指导教师郑艺完成日期 2014年12月22日诚信声明本人郑重声明：所呈交的毕业论文（设计）是我个人在导师指导下，由我本人独立完成。

有关观点、方法、数据和文献等的引用已在文中指出，并与参考文献相对应。

我承诺，论文中的所有内容均真实、可信。

如在文中涉及到抄袭或剽窃行为，本人愿承担由此而造成的一切后果及责任。

毕业论文（设计）作者签名：签名日期：年月日摘要摘要内容：本文主要以婚礼为依据，从婚礼上的服饰、仪式、婚礼前的准备工作和音乐四个方面进行对比，从而体现出中国和美国在婚礼上的差异。

其次又分析了形成这些差异的原因。

主要的原因有三个：思维模式的差异、人生观和价值观的差异以及宗教信仰的差异。

随着改革开放的发展，中西方的交流越来越频繁。

所以本文通过这些差异的对比，让大家清晰地了解中国和西方国家在婚礼上的差异，从而体现出中西方在文化上的差异。

只有这样才能使不同的民族更良好地沟通，也只有这样才能更好地进行跨文化交际和跨文化传播。

关键词：中美婚礼；差异；文化；跨文化交际；跨文化传播Abstract内容：The article is based on the wedding. It is from four angles to narrate the differences between Chinese wedding and American wedding. I will go with an ideato contrast the costume, the ceremony, the preparation of the wedding and the musicin Chinese and American weddings. And then I will display the reasons of forming these differences which are the different thought patterns, different philosophy and values and different religious belief between Chinese and American people. We will understand the differences and the reasons mentioned above clearly through these comparisons. In my opinion, the purpose of knowing the differences of China and America is to make the different nations communicate better. And only in this way can we do better in the intercultural communication and the cross-cultural transmission.Key words: Chinese and American wedding; difference; intercultural communication; cross-cultural transmissionContentsⅠ Introduction (1)1.1 The Significance of Wedding (1)1.2 The Origin of Chinese Wedding (1)1.3 The Origin of American Wedding (2)Ⅱ The Comparison of Wedding Between Chinese and American Cultures (3)2.1 The Differences of Costume in Chinese and American Wedding (3)2.1.1 Costume in Chinese Wedding (3)2.1.2 Costume in American Wedding (4)2.2 The Differences of Ceremony in Chinese and American Wedding (5)2.2.1 Ceremony in Chinese Wedding (5)2.2.2 Ceremony in American Wedding (6)2.3 The Differences of Preparation before Chinese and American Wedding (7)2.3.1 Preparation before Chinese Wedding (7)2.3.2 Preparation before American Wedding (8)2.4 The Differences of Music in Chinese and American Wedding (9)2.4.1 Music in Chinese and American Wedding (9)Ⅲ The Reasons of Forming These Differences (10)3.1 The Difference of Thought Patterns Between Chinese and American Cultures (10)3.2 The Difference of Philosophy and Values Between Chinese and American Cultures (11)3.3 The Difference of Religious Belief Between Chinese and AmericanCultures (11)Ⅳ Conclusion (12)Ⅰ Introduction1.1 The Significance of WeddingWedding is a legitimate or a religious ceremony. It is for celebrating the beginning of a marriage. Each country and each nation has their own traditional wedding. Wedding is the most important ceremony in our whole life. There are three influential wedding in the world: Confucianism wedding; Hindu wedding and Christian wedding. Confucianism wedding is a traditional wedding of China and the Christian wedding is a tradition wedding of America. In Christianity, there is a clear significance of marriage. It is said that marriage is a decree from God. In my opinion, marriage is a new life for people who love their lovers and the wedding is a ceremony for people to verify their sweet affection.1.2 The Origin of Chinese WeddingThe origin of Chinese wedding is from a myth and legend. It is said that in remote antiquity, there was likely to be some heavy flooding, almost all animals and human died except Nuwa and Fuxi. The God of Venus who is an immortal of Chinese ancient mythology asked them to get married to reproduce human, but both of them disagreed with this because they were brother and sister. However, if they didn’t get married, mankind would deracinate. At the same time, Nuwa and Fuxi came up with a method that if they can connect the bamboos which were cut down and then they would get married. It was unexpected that those bamboos were connected. But they were still not willing to marry each other. Therefore, they thought out another way that if two millstones which rolled down from two mountains rolled together and then they would get married. Sure enough, the two millstones rolled together. But they also didn’t want to get married. Finally, Nuwa figured out a way that Nuwa ran first and then if Fuxi caught up with Nuwa they would get married. However Fuxi can’tovertake Nuwa. Fuxi met a turtle afterwards and the turtle taught him that he can run oppositely to catch up with Nuwa. Fuxi did what the turtle told him and he overtook Nuwa eventually. In the end, they got married. Chinese wedding was taking shape.1.3 The Origin of American WeddingWhen mentioning the origin of American wedding, we must first talk about the origin of Western wedding because American culture is influenced by Western cultures. The origin of western wedding is a legend. It is from the Bible of Christianity. It is said that God created world in seven days. Jehovah God made a man named Adam with mud at the sixth days and blew some breath to him. Then Adam was alive suddenly. Jehovah God built the Garden of Eden and asked Adam not to eat the fruitages of wisdom. Afterwards, Jehovah God wanted to make a spouse to help Adam, so he made a woman called Eve with one of Adam’s rib. Since then Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden happily. According to the original idea of Bible, that era is the golden age of human. However they couldn’t resist the lure from a snake and they ate the forbidden fruits. They understood the shame and they began to love each other. Ultimately Jehovah God realized that both of them went against with his order. Jehovah God was very angry and dislodged them from the Garden of Eden. Since then there had appeared the ethnic group with love, enmity and warfare. From the discrimination mentioned above, people in primitive times got married with no more love and responsibility. With the development of social productivity and the perfection of political system, marriage had appeared. Western wedding had taken shape progressively.ⅡThe Comparison of Wedding Between Chinese and American Cultures2.1 The Differences of Costume in Chinese and American WeddingIt is obvious that costume in Chinese wedding and costume in American wedding is as different as chalk and cheese. For example, the color and the style of Chinese wedding costumes are different from American’s. Now let me demonstrate this contention.2.1.1 Costume in Chinese WeddingAt the mention of the costume in Chinese wedding, we have to date back to ancient China. In Zhou Dynasty, people thought that the color of black represented the universe. Therefore, the tone of their costumes at the wedding is black with a little crimson. It’s very solemn and simplicity. It is said that in Qin Dynasty, the color of wedding gowns is as same as that in Zhou Dynasty. In Han Dynasty, the color of the wedding dress is like that in Zhou and Qin Dynasty. But there are also some differences. The bridegroom and the bride needed to wear the warped shoes and the bride had to adorn the hairpin to comb up her hair. In Sui and Tang Dynasty, the style of wedding gowns is as same as that previously. But the tone of the costumes had changed a lot. The bridegroom wore crimson clothes and the bride wore cyan clothes. It seems very jubilant and enthusiastic. In Ming Dynasty, Ming emperor Zhu Yuanzhang made a new institution. When the common people got married, the bridegroom can wear the fake official robe like an officer, the bride can wear a phoenix coronet on her head and wear a red long dress and also wear a robe of rank on her shoulders. It just looks like an empress. Besides, before the bride get into the bridal sedan chair she must wear the red veil to cover her head and embroidered shoes on her feet. The tone of all clothes at the wedding is red during that time. The style and tone of wedding gowns in Ming Dynasty is from generation to generation. Sincethen this kind of wedding gowns has been used for more than 500 years. Nowadays at some traditional weddings, there usually appear phoenix coronet and official robes. In Qing Dynasty, the bridegroom usually wore a skullcap, a long gown and a mandarin jacket like a Manchu. And except phoenix coronet and robes of rank, the bride also wore a long red dress with an embroidered gown. In my opinion, the most beautiful wedding costume is Ming’s style. It is not only enthusiastic but also dazzling and charming. Besides, I think all the costumes in each dynasty are also treasures to show about the traditional culture of China.2.1.2 Costume in American WeddingThe bride in America always wears a wedding dress and the bridegroom wears western-style clothes. It is unbelievable that there are only 200 years for brides to wear white wedding dress(吴国华，2006). The wedding dress was a ceremony dress of Catholic. When people got married they must accept the prayer or the blessing from priest because western people thought that the marriage was an order from God and the priest is envoy of God to convey the order. Therefore, the bride had to wear the ceremony dress of Catholic to express that she was pure and honest. However before 19 centuries, the style and tone of the bride wedding dress weren’t unified. Some of brides wore flaxen long dress, and some of them wore blue long dress, others wore pink long dress with some jewels on it. In 1840 Victoria wore an 18 feet white wedding dress and was unfolded before everyone’s eyes, and all people were fascinated by the white wedding dress(吴国华，2006). Therefore white wedding dress played an important role in wedding dress of western countries. In addition, the bride had to wear a veil to cover her face. It is because that only in this way can they keep away from the demon. Also it is said that the bridegroom needed to hold a sword on his right side formerly because of dueling with the guy who wanted to rend the bride away from him. Generally, the traditional costumes of American wedding lay stress on the four key points, ”new”; ”old”; ”borrowed” and ”blue”. The”new” means the new white wedding dress, which signifies the beginning of new life. The “old” isthe old veil. It means unforgettable love and kindness of the bride’s parents. The “borrowed”is the handkerchief borrowed from the bride’s best friend to show the precious friendship. The “blue”is the blue satin which means sincere love of the newlyweds. Through discovering the costume in American wedding(潘文晋，2008), we can understand that the features of western culture are very interesting and historic.2.2 The Differences of Ceremony in Chinese and American WeddingThe ceremony in Chinese and American wedding is different from each other absolutely. In general, ceremony in Chinese wedding is quite lively and jubilant; on the contrary, the ceremony in American wedding is very quiet and holy. I will refer to some details.2.2.1 Ceremony in Chinese WeddingThe wedding ceremony is the most important part in wedding. In our country, when the bridegroom picks up the bride from the bride’s house, it always besets with difficulties. For example, the family of the bride will not let the bridegroom enter the house except that the bridegroom gives them red paper containing money as a gift; after the bridegroom get into the house, the family of the bride will hide the shoes of the bride in order to stop the bride going out with the bridegroom. And then when they come out of the house, the bride has to step over a brazier and a saddle, which means booming and safe. After that they will get to the bridegroom’s house where a wedding ceremony will be held. The toastmaster of wedding ceremony is always a matchmaker of the newly-weds. In ancient China, people always stood for the theory that man is an integral part of nature. Thus there are three major ceremonies in wedding ceremony. First, the newly-weds kowtow to the heaven and earth; second, they will kowtow to their parents; thirdly, they willkowtow to each other. It means that newly-weds get the permission of getting married from god and parents. And then the bridegroom and the bride give a cup of tea to their parents. After that their parents also give red packets to them. In the end, the bride gets into the bridal chamber and the bridegroom stays at the banquet to entertain guests with food and liquor and drinks a toast to all of guests. At the end of the ceremony, the best friends of the newly-weds stay and celebrate wedding in bridal chamber. The steps of Chinese wedding ceremony are extremely complex, however, the ceremony is also lively and jubilant.2.2.2 Ceremony in American WeddingIn American wedding, the ceremony is always quiet and holy. There aren’t so many steps for the newly-weds when they are getting married. In America, wedding ceremonies are always held in churches. At the wedding day, all friends and families of the bridegroom and the bride are invited to the wedding. With the music starts, the bride and her father will walk into the church hand in hand. And then the ceremony starts. The pastor who is the toastmaster of wedding starts to officiate at a marriage. He will tell the significance of marriage to everybody in the church. According to the traditional habitude, the pastor will let the bride and the bridegroom to promise to each other, “no matter good or bad it is, rich or poor it is, weak or healthy we are, I swear I will love you and cherish you until I die.”Then the bridegroom will kiss the bride and they exchange the wedding rings. After that, there will be a big feast and the type of food in the feast is depended on the favor of the bride and her families. There are so many prismatic wedding cakes in the corner. Traditionally, the bridegroom and the bride will hold the knife together and cut cakes. This is the first thing they do together. It indicates one thing that since then they will live happily and sweet. And they will eat cakes with guests. After eating, women who don’t get married get together to wait for the bride throw the bouquet of flowers to them and the woman who catches the bouquet will get married next. Because they think that the bouquet of flowers means happiness. After throwing the bouquet, thebride will throw the garter and the man who catches the garter will marry a beautiful girl soon. Next, all guests throw rice to the bridegroom and the bride because it expresses the best wishes to them(刘利，2011). At the end of the ceremony, the bridegroom and the bride will drive the wedding car to make a wedding trip. Going on a honeymoon is a romantic thing. This activity will help the newly-weds enhance their sweet and happy life.2.3 The Differences of Preparation before Chinese and American WeddingThere are so many differences in preparation before Chinese and American weddings. I think the major reason of forming these differences is different concepts between Chinese and American people. In addition, the way of thought is another one of reasons.2.3.1 Preparation before Chinese WeddingInfluenced by Confucianism, the process of preparations in Chinese wedding is very complex. There is a specific process called “three letters and six rites”. “Three letters” include the letters of appointment, present, escorting; and “six rites”mean proposing a marriage, asking name, divination of the auspicious day, sending bride-price to bride’s home, selecting the date of wedding and greeting bride(林琳，2010). In detail, first of all, the bridegroom asks the matchmaker to propose marriage to the bride. Then when matchmaker arrives at the bride’s home, she will ask the name and date of birth of bride and divine whether it is auspicious or not. Next, both of newly-weds’ families get together to discuss the date of wedding and then the bridegroom will send the bride-price to bride’s home, and then they will select the date of wedding and at that day, the bridegroom goes to the bride’ s home to escort her back to the wedding. Greeting bride is the most important link of the preparation. After the process of greeting, the bride marries the bridegroom formally.From the first part of six rites, the bridegroom and the bride have little communication with each other, almost all arrangements and decisions are decided by their parents and the matchmaker plays an important role in communicating with two families. It reflects that Chinese people influenced by Confucianism deeply because Confucianism is a core of thought in each dynasty and it is a direction of Chinese behavior(贾剑秋，2003). And it advocates obeying the order of parents and following the advice of matchmaker. Nowadays, most of Chinese go with the tradition. At the present, except these steps people also have to decide a place to hold the wedding ceremony before the wedding. In addition, the bride and bridegroom will pack the wedding candies and wedding cigarettes for the families and guests who take part in their wedding ceremony.2.3.2 Preparation before American WeddingThe preparation of American wedding is much simpler than Chinese wedding. According to the traditional customs, there are some necessary procedures. First of all, when people want to get married, they always publish this information on newspapers. The name of the bridegroom, the bride and their parents and the date of wedding will be written on that announcement. And then the bridegroom and the bride will send wedding cards to their families and friends. Before the wedding ceremony, the bridegroom and the bride will first get engaged. At that time the bridegroom and the bride need to exchange the engagement rings. This custom makes us to date back to final stage of primitive society. When the people who lived in the primitive tribe wanted to get married, two of the newly-weds always exchanged the garland to ensure the combination of their souls. And this custom has passed down from generation to generation. Then the newly-weds will arrange the layout at the church and hold some bachelor party with their friends to celebrate finishing their single lives. In America, the bridegroom and the bride are free to communicate with each other before they hold the wedding ceremony. They believe in the freedom of marriage. When they love each other and decide to get married, they tell their parents about that and discuss allthings of wedding. And then the man can take the initiative in a proposal of marriage to the lady. The man holds roses and ring and then kneels to the lady and ask her”will you marry me?” The lady must say”yes” with a happy smile. That’s the most romantic part. Obviously, the preparation before American wedding is very simple, dreamlike and romantic.2.4 The Differences of Music in Chinese and American Wedding 2.4.1 Music in Chinese and American WeddingThere are lots of differences between music in Chinese wedding and that in American wedding. In China, the traditional wedding music is very resonant and overwhelming. The main instruments are suona horns and trumpets. These instruments are very popular in Chinese wedding because of the loud and sonorous voice. However, the music in American wedding is different from Chinese wedding music. The traditional American wedding music is soft and soothing. This kind of music can keep the solemn and harmonious atmosphere in churches. At the same time, it is to pay people’s respects to gods.Ⅲ The Reasons of Forming These Differences3.1 The Difference of Thought Patterns Between Chinese and American CulturesDifferent cultures influence different people. In China, the Chinese people are influenced by Confucianism and the system of feudal society, which both put great emphasis on filial piety. At ancient times, when it is time for people to get married, their parents always make decisions for them. Of course they act on the orders of their parents. When their parents select an appropriate mate, the parents will ask a matchmaker to serve as a link between two young people who are ready to get married. This is the traditional thought pattern of marriage in China. The young people don’t have the freedom to choose their own marriage partners. They must listen to their parents and the matchmaker. The purpose of getting married is to produce a male heir to carry on the family line and it is responsibility and duty for the male to get married. The newly-weds may don’t know each other and they even never meet each other before they get married. In addition, the wife must honor her husband and comply with her husband’s wishes. And all husbands at that time can take concubines. It reflects the society of the male sovereignty in China.In America, it is different from China. American always advocates independence and freedom. The American people are independent and equal in their families. Because of the influence of Christianity, American believes that marriage is a decree from God(潘文晋，2008). The marriage is based on being in love with each other and being honest. America people always have the freedom to choose their own marriage partners. So they can date whoever they like. They have right to make decisions of making friends, dating and getting married. And after getting married, the wife has rights to do anything because everyone is equal. Therefore, in America, the man can only marry on woman. If he wants to marry another lady, he should offer divorce agreement.3.2 The Difference of Philosophy and Values Between Chinese and American CulturesThe ability of social intercourse connects with the philosophy and values. Every culture has it own philosophical system. This system can help people to differentiate between good and evil. In other words, it is moral outlook and code of conduct. Influenced by Li Ji, which is a book of rites, Chinese people are modest, prudent, polite and traditional. Therefore the Chinese wedding follows Confucianism and the steps of wedding are very complex and extravagant. However, American people uphold egotism extremely, so the American wedding is independent and simple.3.3 The Difference of Religious Belief between Chinese and AmericanIn China, most of Chinese people believe in Confucianism and Taoism. Chinese people always advocate a view that human beings are an integral part of nature and regard the universe as a mother of everything of earth. Therefore, the first part of a wedding ceremony is that the newly-weds kowtow to the heaven and earth. They think that they get the permission to get married from the universe. However, in America, American people profess a belief in Christianity. Most of American people think that marriage is a decree from God and the priests are envoys of God. Thus they always hold a wedding ceremony in a Christian church and let a priest to take charge of the wedding ceremony.Ⅳ ConclusionNowadays, there are more opportunities for Chinese to go abroad and Chinese people have more communication with American people. The numbers of getting married between Chinese and American are rapidly increased recently. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the different customs of Chinese and American wedding. Wedding is a phenomenon of culture. As an important part of culture, it is an important part in our life too. However, there are many kinds of wedding in every country. With the development of society and the influence of globalization, wedding in each country has changed a lot. The article talks about the differences of wedding costumes, wedding ceremony, preparation of wedding and wedding music. And then analyze the differences of thought pattern, philosophy and values and religion belief between Chinese and American cultures, which are the reasons of forming those differences mentioned above. The differences of cultures between China and America are worthwhile for us to respect and study. Through the research and introduction, we can do better in the intercultural communication and the cross-cultural transmission. We must contain the similarities and differences, and absorb what is good and reject what is bad. It can help China to be a stronger country in the world.AcknowledgementsI would like to extend my profound appreciation to my tutor Ms Zheng Yi who encouraged me to pursue this topic in the first place, for her guidance and patience, for the time and effort she spent in helping the accomplishment of this thesis. Greatest admiration is given to her, for offering me the selfless and generous support both in my thesis writing.A deep sense of gratitude goes to my dear classmates and roommates who gave me spiritual support and helped me get through the most difficult times.Finally, I would like to thank my beloved family. Profound gratitude goes to my father and my mother, for their deep love, unconditioned support and understanding over the year.Bibliography1. HOFSTEDE, GEERT Culture’s Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions and Organizations across Nations [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2008.2. 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