Tea Ceremony (Pictures Round III)

In Chinese society, the younger generation always shows its respect to the older generation by offering a cup of tea. At traditional Chinese weddings, Tea Ceremony is an equivalent of exchange of vows at a western wedding ceremony. This official ritual is still widely practiced at modern Chinese weddings on the wedding day, either at home or at the reception.




The tea ceremony during weddings also serves as a means for both parties in the wedding to meet with members of the other family. As families can be rather extended, one or two hundred people, it is entirely possible during a courtship to not have been introduced to someone. Drinking the tea symbolized acceptance into the family. Older relations so introduced would give a red envelope to the matrimonial couple while the couple would be expected to give a red envelope to younger, unmarried relations.