We are not superstitious.
If you are interested to learn about Chinese superstitions that we have tried to adhere to out of respect to tradition, here is a list:
- 29 July 2018, our wedding date, is listed as a date that is suitable for marriage in a traditional Chinese calendar drawn up by a Hong Kong astrologer.
- It is also a day that clashes with those born in the year of the Dragon, which applies to neither Ying, nor Graeme, nor any of their parents.
- The date is in the sixth Chinese lunar calendar month. This avoids the seventh Chinese lunar calendar month, which is considered the ghost month.
- As the Chinese Lunar Year system incorporates leap months, a Lunar Year can contain zero, one, or two dates of Lichun (“beginning of Spring”). Lunar years that contain zero instances of Lichun are considered unlucky for marriage. Luckily, the Lunar Year that runs from February 2018 to February 2019 contains one Lichun.
- We endeavour to use lucky numbers and avoid unlucky numbers. Generally, lucky numbers are only considered up to ten. The numbers two (pair) and six (plenty/never-empty, mathematically perfect) are the luckiest for a wedding, and possibly ten (perfection) as well.
- Four is the least lucky due to associations with death. It is strongly avoided, including fourteen, twenty-four, etc.
- Eight is usually lucky in Chinese culture (profit) but not in this case due to similarities to the character(s) with a meaning of separation.
- Odd numbers are unpaired, so less lucky for a wedding, which is a “pairwise” event. Specifically, seven is avoided for its associations with funerals. However:
- Nine (which can imply never-ending and largest/best) is acceptable.
- Red is the luckiest colour. The bride often wears a completely red outfit in traditional Chinese ceremonies. In our case, our outfit will carry elements of red, and possibly our decorations as well.
- Black, white, and dark blue are associated with funerals. This does not mean that they have to be completely avoided, simply that outfits that consist of nothing but these three colours will be avoided. Any of these colours can be worn as long as elements of red or other warm bright colour (yellow, orange, gold) forms part of the outfit.
- Chrysanthemums and white flowers, in general, will be avoided as they are associated with funerals.
Here is a list of undesirable Chinese gifts. But as stated, we only wish to have you there, and we are not superstitious!