Chinese Wedding Taboos

Most Singaporeans are like this, they will say “I’m not Pan Tang one lah”. Then when it comes to taboo, they will say “better to believe than not”.

But being practical Singaporeans, we tend to pick and choose so that the taboos doesn’t inconvenience us too much. Here are a list of “not to do” that Singaporeans commonly adhere to.

Funerals, Weddings and Confinement

Traditionally, to avoid a clash of luck, customs state that the bride and groom should not attend any weddings, funerals or visit ladies in confinement for 3 months. Most Singaporeans follow different variations of these. Most Singaporean use one month date instead of three. Most people also view going to a funeral more taboo than going to a wedding.

When a parent passes away.

For some unknown reason, if a parent of the bride or groom passes away, the wedding is supposed to be held within the 1st 100 days or to be postponed for 3 years.

Red Packets

Red Packets are to contain even numbers only. This is to represent that the couple is a “pair”. Traditionally, this means that 9 is not acceptable. But Singaporeans often give 99 or 999 in red packets to mean everlasting.

Bridal Bed

Theoretically, no one is supposed to sleep on the bridal bed after preparation also known as ‘An Chuang’. Due to space constraints and so that you grooms need not sleep on the floor, most people just prepare the bed one day before the actual day. Choose a good An Chuan date from the tong shu.

Taboos that we don’t usually follow

• People born in certain horoscopes that “clashes” with the bride and groom cannot be bridesmaids and groomsmen. (Caution: if you do that, your friends will think you are some weirdo from the Yuan dynasty).
• White which is the colour for mourning is not supposed to be used for weddings. ( Ha..if Singaporeans believe this then you guys will save a bomb on those Vera Wang gowns)
• The wedding couple is not allowed to meet the day before the wedding.

I assume there are many more taboos that I didn’t mention, but I hope this gives you a general idea of the common pang tangs in Singapore.