What is engagement?

Engagement, also called betrothal, according to China folk custom, there is usually an engagement ceremony before marriage: signing an engagement, exchanging gifts, or setting up a matchmaker. However, according to the current marriage law of our country, engagement is not a necessary procedure before marriage, and an unmarried marriage does not lose its marital validity.

Chenchen Wu's "Ninggutalue" in the Qing Dynasty: "When engaged, the father took the media to worship his wife and parents, and the next day, the daughter and father also answered the media." Qing Tan Sitong Marriage Charter of Hunan Non-Foot-binding Association: "When engaged, take the matchmaker's marriage letter as the basis, or slightly imitate the meaning of offering geese, and prepare gifts at will." Gao's "Hu Shi's Random Talk" III: "His marriage with a lady was completely engaged by his mother since childhood according to the practice of feudal families. Hu Shi has never seen him. "