Now, since I'm Chinese, I'll be using "Chinese" colors as an example.
Traditionally, red was the good color. Gold represented nobility and wealth but red was the "happy-day-feel-good" color. It is the color of traditional wedding attire, for both male and female, which looks something like this.
Although traditionally, white could be used to represent purity or clarity ( 明白 = Bright white= Clear= "Understand"), the character "white" was also used in other words which means "emptiness" or "moron". Not only that, it was a color of mourning. Therefore, traditional Chinese mourning attire was in white, like so.
This brings me to my main point. Due to post-colonialism and major western influences, many weddings now look like this.
So white.
I enjoyed your blog post that was simple and to the point Kitty!
ReplyDeleteA few days ago, I was in Vancouver and there was a Chinese couple that was in the typical white dress and black suit attire as they were taking those.. wedding photos?
Western culture has influenced the way things are done all over the world. However, if you actually think about how the asian culture has integrated itself amongst soceity today, you will also start to think of common items.
Such as Green tea icecream! ..and mango ice cream (both flavours come from asian influence)Good job Kitty :]
Hey Kitty,
ReplyDeleteInteresting point you bring up, that the colour that used to be worn for mourning is now worn for weddings. It's amazing how much European influence has found its way into all corners of the globe, huh? Also, now the colour for mourning now is BLACK. People wear black to funerals now. I wonder if this European colour symbolism is what influenced the fact that "white" is good and "black" is bad...?
What if Europeans wore black for weddings and white for funerals? Would African Americans be regarded as superior then?
This brings up the question: On what grounds do we decide what colour means what?
Hullo there Kitty :D
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post because it is the truth. Fascinating enough, when I was small, I was influenced in that "modern" wedding was the type I want for my wedding which is the "norm" of wearing black and white (your last picture). As well, my aunt and uncle married with both types of wedding but the traditional way of Chinese people were only chosen because their families wanted that. :|
Either way, I find that most people forgo the traditional way unless forced by their families in China. I saw many weddings held in Hong Kong, Taipei, etc. using the Church and the "European" wedding styles. As well, curiously enough, tv shows in Chinese countries, especially in Hong Kong drama shows, the weddings are held in European styles too. :D Curious, curious.
Anyways, thanks for pointing this out! Don't think I actually considered this. :)
I am amazed at your ability to connect the post colonialism found in "Things Fall Apart" into the post colonialism of weddings!
ReplyDeleteHaving just come back from Taiwan, I was surprised to notice the huge chunk of life that has moved away from the traditional style. Older generations still possess these traditional methods but society of the late 20th century onwards has taken a turn towards Western culture. Like Mio, I too saw a couple in Taiwan sealing the deal; the bride was dressed in a non-traditional white gown while the groom was looking slick in a tux! This goes to show that post colonialism is not necessarily a atrocious adjustment but merely a new way of embracing life and the possibilities around us.