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Tea Ceremony

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The tea ceremony is regarded as the traditional Chinese marriage ceremony where the bride and groom show their respect to their elders, especially acknowledging the importance of their parents and thanking them.  This ceremony is held at both the bride and the groom's homes for the parents and other elders.  In addition, this ceremony can be held at the actual wedding.     The people being served the tea are seated on special chairs or benches while both the bride and groom kneel in front of them. They then serve the tea to their elders.  Whenever this ceremony is held, the elders are addressed by formal titles.     The ancient Chinese believed that putting lotus seeds and two red dated in the tea would help the newlyweds produce children early in the marriage and every year, which would ensure many grandchildren for their parents.  Also, the sweetness of the special tea is a wish for sweet relations between the bride and the new family.  In return, the newlyweds receive lucky red envelopes ("lai si", which means lucky), stuffed with money or jewelry.

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