NO. 4 REL.iGlON IN SZECHUAN PROVINCE — GRAHAM 23 



now the exceptions are few. The consent of the young couple was 

 not asked, and they were not permitted to see each other until they 

 met at the marriage ceremony. Social conditions are now in a process 

 of change, and sometimes young people find a way of choosing their 

 own life partners, but on the whole the old customs are still in vogue. 



A family will generally resort to divination before approaching 

 another family about the marriage of their son to a young woman. 

 If results are assuring, a middle man is found. The middle man or 

 woman takes presents when ap])roaching the parents of the young 

 lady. If the parents are willing to negotiate, they produce the girl's 

 horoscope, with which the go-between returns to the boy's parents.^ 

 Again divination is resorted to. If the result is favorable, an authority 

 on horoscopes is called, and the horoscopes of the two young people 

 are compared." If the results indicate that the marriage would be 

 unlucky, the matter is dropped ; if the opposite is true, there arc 

 further negotiations, and a luck}' da)' is set for the exchange of 

 horoscopes.^ Presents, and sometimes money, are given to the parents 

 of the young lady, who in turn provide a feast for all the guests.' 



On the day of the wedding, which must be on a lucky day, there 

 is a procession, and the bride is carried to the home of the groom 

 in a Juia giao, or flowery sedan chair, which is red in color and 

 beautifully decorated.^ 



The bride says farewell to her parents, and departs with weeping." 

 The procession is led by musicians with gongs, drums, flutes, and 

 other wind instruments.^ Banners and other paraphernalia are carried. 



On the back of the bridal chair one or two lighted lanterns are 

 hung, although it is broad daylight, to keep the demons away. Old 

 bronze mirrors, glass mirrors, and other charms are used. The 

 bride is often clothed in special garments that are supposed to protect 

 her from evil spirits. 



On arriving at the home of the bridegroom, a cock is killed, and 

 the blood is sprinkled in a circle around the flowery chair.'' This is a 



'Grainger, Adam, Studies In Chinese Life, 1921, pp. 8-9. 



Stewart, James Livingstone, Chinese Culture and Christianity, 1926. pp. 144-5. 

 ^Grainger, Adam, Studies In Cln'nese Life, 1921, p. 9. 

 ^Ibid., p. 9- 

 * Ibid., p. 9. 

 ' Ibid., p. 12. 



Stewart, James Livingstone, Chinese Culture and Christianity, 1926, p. T02. 

 "Grainger, Adam, Studies In Chinese Life, 1921, p. \2. 

 ''Ibid., pp. 1 1 -12. 

 ^Ibid., p. 13. , 



