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CMC 74-11.2
This embroidered, silk bridegroom's coat was made in Taiwan in the 1970s,
and imported by a Toronto store which sold Chinese clothing. A large number
of Chinese Canadians live in Toronto. A coat is a portable textile treasure
which can be preserved fairly easily by a family, as it can be packed thin
and flat. It might even be kept for a groom of the next generation.
Wedding rituals in almost every society are important enough that the bride
and groom are dressed in special costumes for the occasion. This is as true
for the Trobriand Islander as it is for the Ukrainian farm family. In China,
the bride is frequently dressed in a bright red or crimson costume, for red
is the colour of good luck. Pure white is often reserved as the colour of
mourning, seen often at Asian funerals. The groom may wear various colours,
but this particular silk coat is dark blue. A large embroidered symbol is
woven into the jacket. It says shou, which means "Long Life". The
groom's costume was completed by a small satin hat and matching slippers.
Every culture has specific rituals and customs that are observed only during
a wedding. Some of these call upon the gods to bless the union of a man and
woman, others to ensure their financial well-being. Still others are related
specifically to fertility - hoping the couple will have many children.
In Canadian weddings, a religious service is often part of the marriage,
as are a feast and an exchange of gifts. Rice throwing, for example, is an
expression of hope that the couple will be blessed with children.
Text: Phil Tilney
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