Interesting Traditions of Asian Countries

Each country found in Asia has its own set of unique wedding traditions that showcases their respective cultures.  Japanese brides wear a white kimono on the first day of the marriage ceremony to symbolize their separation or “death” from their birth family.  The traditional Korean bridal dress is based on the costume of royal princesses.  Arabic customs require brides to wear ornate caftans with their hands and feet painted with intricate lace-like patterns with the use of henna dye.      

Hindu wedding ceremonies include customary rituals that ward-off evil spirits, while carefully weaving sweets, eggs and money into the wedding themes.  These three are supposed to symbolize a sweet life, fertility and prosperity, respectively.  An Indonesian engagement usually lasts for many years whereby ceremonial gift giving is taking place between the bride and the groom’s families as a way of strengthening their familiarity with each other.  The wedding program, being an important event would require even those that are remotely acquainted with the bride and groom to be invited which could bring the number of guests into thousands.  A groom in Iran would purchase a ceremonial wedding dress for his intended bride which would consist of ten feet of sheeting that he will use to wrap around the woman.

A traditional groom in Malaysia usually sends children to bring wedding gifts to his future bride.  A couple that will be wed in Thailand prepares food for the monks who will give their blessings in return.  Wedding celebrations in the Philippines are preceded by a marriage proposal, an engagement ring, asking of the woman’s parents’ permission, service rendered by the man to woo the approval of the woman’s family, wedding announcement, a send-off party and confession for those who are Catholics.