Shanxi Marriage Customs (5)

In Xiangfen area in the south of Shanxi, the man wants to make up ten things for the woman, which means "perfect". Among the things that the woman gave back to the man, there were ten packages of wheat bran mixed with salt powder. These ten bags of bran salt should be sprinkled on the heads of future in-laws and sisters-in-law, indicating that everyone is blessed (bran) and predestined (salt). In Jinzhong Qixian and other places, both men and women should send each other "four-color gifts". The man gave the woman "engagement clothes", rings, earrings, bracelets and other things, and the woman also gave him Four Treasures of the Study, a fan, a wallet and a belt. Among them, the belt is particularly indispensable, which means "I will tie you up from now on" or "I will take off your clothes".

In some areas, they also pay attention to exchanging "dragon and phoenix stickers" when they are engaged. The "dragon post" given by the man to the woman is written with the words "good luck", also called "sincere post", which is roughly written as follows: "I am ashamed of my lack of jade, and I pray for my promise." XXX bows. "The Phoenix Post given by the woman to the man is widely written with the words" Ji Yun ",also called" Cloud Post ",which roughly reads:" I am ashamed to compare with the phoenix, and I am willing to behead Lapras. Foolish brother (brother) is embarrassed. " "Dragon and phoenix stickers" are generally in red and gold, and Taiyuan, Datong and other places should be folded into 10% to show that the marriage will last forever (9). Qixian and Pingyao are folded in half, and the date and time of birth of men and women are written around the middle seam, which is just folded in half.

On the day of engagement, in some places in southern Shanxi, the woman will go to the man's house accompanied by relatives. When he returns, the man gives the woman a certain amount of money and a bundle of cotton, which is called "touching the cotton" and "sticking the flowers" to show the friendship.