Understanding the Tradition of Hair Dressing Ceremonies

“A bustling household filled with laughter, anticipation and the sweet aroma of burning aroma.”

Contrary to what you might think, this is not the introduction to a gripping, thriller novel. This is a description of what it looks like in a typical Chinese hair-dressing ceremony. In this article, we are going to be doing nothing more than exploring tradition and culture in the form of Chinese hair-dressing ceremonies.

What are Chinese hair-dressing ceremonies all about? In most, if not all cultures in the world, weddings are an important milestone in the lives of those involved and as you know, the Chinese culture is not an exception. It didn’t just start recently, weddings have always been a big deal generations ago.

And just as weddings have always been a milestone, so have pre-wedding rituals. The Chinese hair-dressing ceremony is one of those pre-wedding rituals that has been passed down for centuries. Of all these pre-wedding rituals, the Chinese hair-dressing ceremony is so important that it is believed it should not be skipped no matter what. Why is so important though, you might ask?

Importance of Hair-Dressing Ceremonies in Chinese Culture

As with a lot of things in Chinese tradition, the reason why the Chinese hair-dressing ceremony is so important is its symbolism and what it means for the couple.

Taking a step back in history, it all boils down to the common belief that hair is a reflection of one’s energy and connection to the ancestors. Traditionally, the hair is considered a precious gift from one’s predecessors which explains why it is the part of the body that is used to strengthen familial bonds right before a milestone, like a wedding. Also, the ceremony symbolizes the couple becoming adults and hopefully soon, parents. Let’s take a few more steps back in history, shall we?

Historical Background

Turning back the pages of time, it becomes even more fascinating; the richness of the Chinese culture and tradition. The evolution from ancient customs to modern-day practices and trends is truly a sight to behold.

• Origins of Chinese Hair Dressing Ceremonies

The idea can be traced back to a few millennia ago, during the time of the ancient dynasties when hair was seen as a symbol of your social status or how important you were in society and marital status too.

For example, during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), the more elaborate your hairstyle was, the more important you were. Royalty and noblewomen wore hair with all sorts of hairpins and intricate ornaments. Commoners, on the other hand, could not afford to do this, socially, and probably also financially. This was when the hair became a culturally important body part.

• Evolution of Hair Dressing Traditions Over Centuries

As you would expect, things began to change, however, during the Tang dynasty (618 BC – 907 AD), the hair-dressing ceremonies stopped being limited to royalty alone. As they became more widespread among commoners, the sophistication of the hairstyles also increased. Women used flowers, jewels and silk ribbons as ornaments. Men took theirs to another level too, using intricate knots and topknots to adorn their hair.

In more recent centuries, the ceremonies and hairstyles have continued to evolve even further with several elements of modernity blending in. However, one thing is important – no matter how much the ceremonies have evolved, for any young bride or groom marking their coming-of-age, the significance of the rituals has remained as strong as ever.

Symbolism and Significance

Understanding the Chinese culture sometimes requires seeing beyond the obvious. In this case, seeing beyond the obvious means understanding that hairs are more than just strands of keratin decorated for aesthetic purposes.

• Hair as a Symbol of Identity and Social Status

In ancient China, you would have a pretty good idea of how influential a person was just by looking at their hair; that is how significant hair was at the time. As we explained earlier, more elaborate hairstyles with hairpins, silk ribbons and other ornaments were reserved for royalty and noblewomen while the more modest styles were meant for the humble commoners and peasants.

• Cultural Meanings Associated With Hair Dressing

Apart from being a social status marker, the hair also had other cultural meanings and significance. One important one is the fact that hair is traditionally believed to symbolize the bond between a generation and their ancestors. They are seen as a sacred connection to the past.

The Hair Dressing Ceremonies Explained

Now that you understand the significance behind Chinese hair-dressing ceremonies, it’s time to answer the question – what exactly happens during a Chinese hair-dressing ceremony?

First, let’s talk about the venue and time. Usually for wedding ceremonies, the hair-dressing ceremony is done either the night before the wedding or early in the morning of the wedding. Also, the ceremony is done at the groom’s and bride’s homes, separately. For the groom, it should even be done half an hour before that of the bride.

The ceremony is usually not open to the public. If you are not a member of the family of either the bride or the groom, then you probably won’t be allowed to attend the event. That is, of course, except you are the person to perform the ritual for the couple. Usually, a person who has succeeded in keeping their family together would be allowed to perform the ritual as these people are perceived to be “of good fortune”.

After a couple of ritualistic procedures like bathing with pomelo or pomegranate leaves and praying to the ancestors with some dragon phoenix candles lit and so on, the “person of good fortune” finally combs the couple’s hair four times, saying this blessing after each time:

• May you be together all your lives from beginning until the end.
• May you be blessed with a happy, harmonious and intimate marriage until old age.
• May your home be filled with your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
• May you enjoy abundant wealth and an everlasting marriage.