An Chuang (Set the bed)
November 9, 2009 by Him
Filed under Chinese Customs, Featured
Just for clarification, some people ask me, why does the groom want to know about the Chinese wedding customs. The reason is very simple: most of your parents and you parents in law will not know exactly the Chinese customs. Then they will hearsay all the different custom from all around the world and do them all.
So my dear grooms, knowing this not only shows your future in laws how smart, traditional (I don’t know why but believe me, they associate this with filial piety) and thoughtful you are. You will also save a lot of time and money doing just the necessity.
Today’s Topic is on An Chuang (Set the bed)
This is supposed to be done 1 week before the wedding. Some people will however chose an auspicious date for this. Other will do this just the day before for practical reasons.
Reason why you need An Chuang
To be blessed with marital bliss and make the fertility gods happy so that you will be blessed with many baby bonuses.
Procedure
A lady of good fortune must set the bed ( Good fortune here usually means many many children, not many many money). She sets the bed with new bed sheets and puts four red packets at the four corners of the bed. A tray of offerings (peanuts, lotus seeds, a red dates, sweets and a pair of oranges) are placed on the bed . “Double Happiness” papers or stickers are placed on the mirrors.
Then comes the fun part, get a young boy to roll/ jump on the bed. (Ask him to be careful not to spill the food) (and yes, you have to give him an ang pow for messing up the bed).
Once the bed is set, it must be left untouched by all except the bride and the groom on the wedding days.
Ang Moh Version of An Chuang
Caveat
If die die no choice you (the groom) have to sleep on the bed after An Chuang, you need to sleep with a boy (customs says preferably in the year of the dragon) beside you. It is considered unlucky to sleep with an empty side. For ease, just leave the bed alone.
Hi, what happens if we are having an overseas wedding? We live in HK but coming back to Sg to get married. And none of our relatives are in HK!
Any ideas please?
There are quite a few wedding planners in Singapore that can co-ordinate stuff in Singapore for you. This will be a lot easier.
Otherwise get a friend to do it, I’ve personally co-ordinated a wedding of a friend in Singapore who lives in Australia.
We have already ROM and will be staying together soon before our actual day. Hence, could we sleep on the bed prior An Chuang?
Hi M,
if you are keen to follow the tradition, the bed should not be slept on by any adults.
Children who are thought to bless the couple with fertility are actually allowed
The bride is not allowed to lie on the bed at all while the groom is allowed to do so (although why would he want to lie on it without the bride?) only if he is accompanied by a young boy.