An Chuang (安床) is a Chinese tradition performed as part of a couple’s wedding preparations. It involves decorating the matrimonial bed with items meant to bless the couple with a harmonious marriage filled with many offspring.
In the past, the An Chuang ceremony is conducted on an auspicious date and time dictated by the almanac calendar. However, due to busy schedules, modern Chinese families are less strict and as a result the ritual is held anytime between three days to a week before the wedding.
So, how exactly do you perform An Chuang and do it right?
If you belong to the Teochew or Hokkien dialect, the groom’s parents or grandparents are typically the first in line to decorate the bed. If the groom’s parents or grandparents are not around, and for the Hakka, Hainanese or Cantonese dialects, a woman of “good fortune” – one whose spouse, children and grandchildren is still around, will be in charge of decorating the bed.
Before the ceremony can begin, here is a list of items to prepare:
- A new set of bed sheets, preferably in auspicious and bright colours like red, pink or lavender.
- A pair of bedside lamps.
- Fate coins (大缘小缘)
- Antique Chinese coins.
You’ll also need a large red plate to hold the following items from your gift box:
- An even number of oranges
- Two angpows, containing any amount with the number 9
- Dried red dates
- Dried longans
- Lotus seeds
- Pomegranate or pine tree leaves
- Lily bulbs
- Peanuts or walnuts
- Dried melon seeds
During the An Chuang ceremony, the bed will be shifted slightly at an angle. Remember the fate coins from earlier? Place them at the four corners of the bed, cupboard and drawers.
As for the antique coins, insert them top facing into the red packets. Place a red packet at each corner of the mattress and under each pillow. Turn on the pair of bedside lamps and leave them lit until after the third day of the ceremony.
Almost done! At this stage children, especially boys, can be invited to jump and roll around on the bed. This is to bless the couple with an abundance of children in their marriage.
Finally, everyone involved in the ceremony will recite the following phrases:
- 百年好合 (‘bai nian hao he’) (May you be blessed with a blissful and harmonious marriage for a century)
- 早生贵子 (‘zao shen gui zi’) (May you be blessed with plenty of children quickly)
- 白头偕老 (‘bai tou xie lao’) (May you grow old together)
- 永浴爱河 (‘yong yu ai he’) (May you always be filled with love for one another)
After the An Chuang ceremony is completed, there are certain taboos to avoid until the wedding date. Make sure these don’ts are adhered to so as to maintain the blessings!
- No adult should touch, sit or rest on the bed.
- The bride should avoid lying on the bed before the wedding as it is believed to lead to her poor health.
- If the groom has to sleep on the bed before the wedding, he should be accompanied by a young boy born in the year of the dragon.
The An Chuang ceremony prepares the matrimonial bed for a happy and blissful marriage, but before you do that, why not personalize your mattress by adding embroidered names to signify your devotion to each other?
Zees offers customization and personalization services on all their mattresses so couples can own a great bed that meets both their needs to provide great sleep and a fulfilling marriage. Visit Zees to bring hotel quality comfort to your bedroom and enjoy Singapore’s best premium spring mattresses at affordable prices.
