中西方婚礼习俗

浅析中西方传统婚礼习俗中体现的文化差异摘要：中西方不同的文化背景决定了各自形式各异的习俗。

婚礼习俗，作为各国最具代表性的民俗之一，最能反映这种文化间的差异。

文章通过中西方婚礼文化的比较来体现其文化内涵的差异，并分析了产生这些差异的可能原因。

关键词：中西文化婚礼习俗差异对比原因婚姻是人类文明进步的标志。

随着历史的发展，人类对于文明的要求越来越高，自然对于婚嫁中的各项细节也越来越重视，并逐渐发展成为一种礼仪。

由于历史、宗教、地理、民主等诸多因素的影响，中西方不同地区形成了具有各自地方特色的婚礼习俗。

中国的传统婚礼是谨慎而严格的，西方基督教国家的婚礼是随意而轻松的。

这些在漫长历史发展中沉淀下来的传统习俗最能反映各地区文化间的差异。

本文通过研究这种差异来简单的分析这背后蕴含的文化内涵，从而促进两种文化的交流。

一、中西传统婚礼过程的差异作为世界上拥有最古老文明的国家之一，中国早在100万年前就已经有简单的嫁娶观和相应的习俗形成了；而西方国家，例如英国、美国、加拿大等各国的婚俗仅形成于千年甚至百年前，这种时间上的跨度决定了这一习俗的不同。

中国在两千多年的封建社会制度中形成了一套完整的婚嫁礼仪，尽管制度中不乏性别歧视又经历几多朝代变迁，人们仍然坚持对这一礼仪的尊崇。

西方基督教国家也因为对于信仰的坚守而一直沿用古老的婚礼习俗至今。

下面是对于中西方婚礼不同时间段的不同事项安排的对比。

1.婚礼前1）配偶的选择在选择配偶方面，中国传统婚礼中一个重要的观念就是“父母之命，媒妁之言”。

婚姻双方的当事人并没有选择配偶或拒绝配偶的权利，父母以及在婚姻中扮演重要角色的陌生人——媒人才是婚姻的真正主导者。

即使父母不在了，家中的长辈也会代替父母履行这一职责。

一个家庭选择另一个家庭的第一标准则是“门当户对”，也就是要有同样的社会地位或者同样的财富，其次才是对方的品貌和修养，可见婚姻是一项家庭事务而非个人的事情。

西方国家中，尽管也存在家族与家族之间因为利益的联姻，但结婚还是有着高度自由的。

中西方婚礼服饰文化研究一、本文概述婚姻，作为人类社会中的一项重要仪式，承载着深厚的文化内涵和历史传承。

在中西方文化中，婚礼服饰作为一种独特的文化符号，不仅体现了各自的传统习俗和审美观念，更象征着新人的身份转变与未来生活的美好愿景。

本文旨在探讨中西方婚礼服饰文化的历史渊源、特色元素及其所蕴含的文化意义，以期增进对两种文化背景下婚礼服饰的深入理解和欣赏。

本文将首先概述中西方婚礼服饰的历史发展脉络，分析不同历史时期服饰风格的变化及其背后的社会文化因素。

接着，通过对比中西方婚礼服饰的材质、色彩、图案等特色元素，揭示其各自的文化内涵和审美取向。

在此基础上，本文将进一步探讨中西方婚礼服饰在文化传承和社会功能方面的异同点，以及随着全球化进程的发展，两种文化在婚礼服饰上的交流与融合现象。

通过对中西方婚礼服饰文化的深入研究，我们不仅能够更好地理解和尊重不同文化背景下的婚礼传统，还能够为现代婚礼服饰设计提供丰富的灵感和启示。

本文也希望借此机会促进中西方文化交流与对话，共同推动人类文化的多样性与和谐发展。

二、中式婚礼服饰文化中式婚礼，作为中华文化传统的重要组成部分，其服饰文化体现了深厚的民族特色与历史内涵。

在中式婚礼中，新人所穿着的婚服往往承载了家族、亲友与社会的期望与祝福，同时也是对中华文化的传承与展现。

中式婚礼的婚服通常采用传统的汉服或唐装样式，以红色为主色调。

红色在中国文化中象征着吉祥、喜庆与繁荣，是婚礼中不可或缺的元素。

男子常穿对襟长袍，外罩马褂，头戴瓜皮帽，脚蹬布鞋，展现出一种庄重而又不失风度的气质。

女子则穿着旗袍或凤冠霞帔，展现出婉约与典雅之美。

旗袍紧贴身形，曲线优美，展现出女性的曼妙身姿；而凤冠霞帔则更显华丽，凤冠代表着女性的高贵与尊荣，霞帔上的刺绣则展示了精湛的手工艺与深厚的文化内涵。

中式婚礼的婚服上常常绣有各种吉祥图案，如龙凤呈祥、喜结连理、鸳鸯戏水等，这些图案不仅美观，而且寓意深刻。

龙凤是中华文化中的神兽，代表着力量与智慧，而鸳鸯则是忠贞不渝的爱情象征。

婚礼习俗的由来的故事婚礼是人们生命中一段重要的仪式，承载着两个人的爱情和幸福。

然而，各个国家和地区的婚礼习俗却有所不同。

这些习俗的背后往往蕴藏着丰富的文化和历史故事。

在本文中，我们将探究一些婚礼习俗的由来故事，以期了解这些习俗背后的意义和价值。

1. 西方白纱婚纱西方国家的婚礼习俗中，新娘穿着白色婚纱的习俗被广泛接受并延续至今。

这一习俗起源于19世纪欧洲贵族社会，当时英国女王维多利亚嫁给了亲王阿尔伯特。

维多利亚选择了一件白色的婚纱，以示纯洁和高贵。

这一举动受到了广泛的赞赏和模仿，逐渐形成了西方婚礼中白纱婚纱的习俗。

2. 中国红盖头在中国传统婚礼中，新娘戴着红色盖头是一种常见的习俗。

这一习俗源自中国古代的传统文化观念。

古人认为红色能够驱邪、避灾，代表着喜庆和吉祥。

因此，新娘戴红盖头是为了保护自己免受邪恶势力的侵害，也表示对新婚生活的祝福和美好愿望。

3. 印度花环交换印度的婚礼习俗中，新郎和新娘会互相戴上花环，这被视为婚姻的象征。

这一习俗源自印度教文化中的传统婚礼仪式。

在仪式中，新郎和新娘会通过交换花环来表示他们的爱意和承诺。

这个简单的动作象征着两个人在婚姻中的互相关爱和尊重，是建立和谐婚姻的重要一步。

4. 日本酒碗交换日本传统婚礼中，新郎和新娘会举行酒碗交换的仪式。

这一习俗源自日本古代的贵族社会。

在仪式中，新郎和新娘分别举起酒碗，交换酒碗喝下对方的酒。

这是为了象征两人之间的契约和誓约。

而且，这也是一种向来宾表达新郎和新娘对他们参与婚礼的感激之情的方式。

5. 非洲豪华婚礼非洲一些部落和民族有着非常奢华的婚礼习俗。

比如，在尼日利亚的豪斯族和也鲁巴族中，举办婚礼时会变得非常盛大和浓烈。

婚礼上会有音乐、舞蹈和传统的仪式，还有华丽的服饰和装饰品。

这些奢华的婚礼习俗反映了这些部落和民族对婚姻的重视和社区团结的观念。

总结起来，婚礼习俗的由来故事多种多样，背后承载着不同国家和地区的文化传统和历史背景。

通过了解和尊重这些习俗的起源和意义，我们可以更好地理解这些文化，促进跨文化的交流和理解。

中西方婚礼文化差异毕业论文摘要婚礼是世界各地文化传统中的重要一环，而中西方婚礼文化的差异也是不可忽视的，本文旨在探讨中西方婚礼文化差异的具体表现和影响。

本文以文献研究和实地调查相结合的方法进行，主要从以下几方面进行分析：首先，从婚姻观念角度，中西方的婚姻观念存在差异。

中西方的婚姻观念不仅涉及婚姻的目的、角色和责任，还关乎视婚姻为一种制度或仪式的态度和认识。

其次，从礼仪仪式角度，中西方的婚礼仪式也存在显著的差异。

中西方的婚礼仪式在程序和形式上有差异，所涉及的仪式和习俗也各有特点。

最后，从风俗习惯角度，中西方的婚礼风俗习惯也有明显的差异。

从饮食、礼品、迎娶、嫁妆、婚庆等方面均有不同的表现。

在了解中西方婚礼文化差异后，本文进一步探讨了这些差异对双方的理解、沟通、尊重和包容产生的影响。

最后，本文提出了相关对策和建议，以促进中西方婚姻间的理解和和谐。

关键词：婚礼文化，差异，中西方，影响。

AbstractWedding is an important part of cultural traditions in different parts of the world, and the differences in wedding culture between China and the West cannot be ignored. This paper aims to explore the specific manifestations and impact of cultural differences in wedding culture between China and the West.This paper adopts the method of literature research and field investigation. The analysis is mainly from the following aspects:Firstly, from the perspective of marriage concept, there are differences in marriage concepts between China and the West. The concept of marriage in China and the West not only involves the purpose, role, and responsibility of marriage, but also the attitude and understanding of marriage as an institution or ceremony.Secondly, from the perspective of ceremony and etiquette, there are significant differences in wedding ceremonies between China and the West. Wedding ceremonies in China and the West differ in procedure and form, and the rituals and customs involved in weddings are also different.Lastly, from the perspective of customs and habits, there are also obvious differences in wedding customs and habits between China and the West. There are different expressions in eating, gifts, bridegroom pick-up, dowry, and wedding celebrations.After understanding the cultural differences between China and the West, this paper further explores the impact of these differences onunderstanding, communication, respect, and tolerance between the two sides. Finally, this paper puts forward relevant countermeasures and suggestions to promote understanding and harmony between Chinese and Western marriages. Keywords: wedding culture, differences, China and the West, impact.。

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。

西方各国婚礼习俗穿洁白的婚纱、笔挺的西装、蛋糕香槟、抛花球……这就是简洁神圣的西式婚礼，在西方的教义里，两个人的结合是上帝的旨意，因此婚礼必须是圣洁的，代表纯洁的。

白色是西方婚礼上独一无二的主色调，白色的婚纱、白色的布置、白色的蛋糕、白色的婚车……一切白色的花卉都会成为西式婚礼上最受欢迎的装饰物。

因此，一切都显得简单和素雅。

西式婚礼讲究的是神圣和简单，又叫“神前婚礼”。

许下神圣的誓言、统一着装的男女傧相以及天使一般的花童，众星捧月般的把一对新人衬托得像童话里的王子和公主，满足了许多新娘儿时的美梦。

西方各国的婚礼由于地区的差异，文化的不同而形成了别具风格的习俗，下面我们就介绍一下五个西方国家的别具特色的婚礼习俗。

英国：英格兰人的婚俗丰富多采，从求婚到度蜜月均按自已的传统方式进行。

在英格兰北部约克市求婚方式颇为奇特，继承了古代民间遗风，女孩子成熟以后，需要出嫁了，便穿上不同颜色的紧身服饰，向男性示意；不同的颜色表示不同的意思，恰恰和交通信号灯一致。

绿色的表示："来吧！我愿意恋爱，大胆地追求吧！"黄色表示："机遇是有的，如果合我的意还是有成功的机会。

"红色表示："目前我还不想谈情说爱，不要追求我。

"勇敢的小伙子会根据对方的服色，根据自已的选择去大胆地追求，决不会被扣上行为不端的帽子。

一旦双方确立了恋爱关系，男方要送给女方订婚戒指并举行仪式，这种习俗遍及整个英国。

结婚或定婚戒指是许多民族的传统习俗，英格兰人在教堂里举行婚礼仪式时，新郎给新娘戴戒指是不可缺少的一项重要内容，人们甚至认为不戴戒指的婚姻是无效的；当神父询问一对新人是否愿意做对方的妻子或丈夫、能否相互尊重、白头偕老后，新郎给新娘的无名指上戴上一枚戒指。

它象征着丈夫对妻子的纯真爱情，同时妻子也表示接受并忠实于这种爱情。

戴戒指的习俗可以追溯到古代埃及、中国，它不仅作为一种信物也是一种装饰品。

西方教堂结婚婚礼习俗现在年轻人都喜欢西式的婚礼，但是你们知道吗，西式婚礼也有传统的习俗。

下面是店铺给大家搜集整理的西方教堂结婚婚礼习俗文章内容。

希望可以帮助到大家!西方教堂结婚婚礼习俗1、为什么新娘要戴面纱?最初，新娘的面纱象征青春和纯洁，很久以前，__的新娘戴着白色面纱表示清纯和欢庆;或戴蓝色的面纱，以示如圣女玛丽亚的纯洁。

据说，当年玛纱.华盛顿的孙女妮莉.华乐斯在结婚时别出心裁地蒙着白色围巾，掀起一时风尚，据说源于妮莉的未婚夫见她站在蕾丝窗帘后，美貌惊人，赞叹不已。

这给了她在婚礼时戴白纱的灵感。

这也就是今天新娘戴白色面纱的习俗的由来。

2、为什么新娘穿白色礼服?自罗马时代开始，白色象征着爱情。

在 1850 年到 1900 年间，白色也是富裕的象征到了本世纪初，白色代表纯洁的意义已远超过其他。

3、为什么在婚礼时，新娘总是站在新郎的左边?古时候，盎格鲁撒可逊的新郎常常必须挺身而出，以保护新娘不被别人抢走。

在结婚典礼时，新郎让新娘子站在自己的左边，一旦敌情出现，就可以立即拔出佩带在左手的剑，英勇击退敌人。

4、为什么钻石订婚戒指要戴在左手无名指上?古人认为左手无名指的血管直通心脏，中古世纪的新郎把婚戒轮流戴在新娘的三支手指上，以象征圣父，圣子，和圣灵三位一体，最后把戒指戴在左手的无名指上。

于是 . 左手无名指就成为所有英语系国家传统戴婚戒的手指。

5、为什么新娘要戴手套?在中古世纪时，准新郎要送象征爱的信物，以稳定心上人的心。

当时许多绅士送手套给心上人表示求婚，若对方在星期日上教堂时戴着那副手套，就表示她已经答应求婚。

6、为什么新娘要抛花球?新娘抛花球意味着谁接到谁就快要结婚了，所以我们经常可以看到这样的场面：一群欣喜若狂的年轻人等待着新娘手中抛出的花球。

7、新郎也要抛东西吗?新郎抛袜圈同样寓意谁接到谁就快要成新郎了。

8、为什么在婚礼上要有结婚蛋糕?古罗马时代一对新人多在婚礼举行时，把蛋糕放在新娘头上敲碎来享用象征把婚礼的气氛推向高潮，更祈愿道贺的亲友分享到新人的幸福和喜悦。