拜堂

bàitáng

verb

Meanings

1 to perform the traditional wedding bows (to heaven and earth, to parents, to each other)

Characters

to bow, pay respect

Examples

新郎新娘一拜天地，二拜高堂，夫妻对拜。

Xīnláng xīnniáng yí bài tiāndì, èr bài gāotáng, fūqī duì bài.

The couple bows first to heaven and earth, then to the parents, and finally to each other.

他们办了一场复古的拜堂仪式。

Tāmen bàn le yì chǎng fùgǔ de bàitáng yíshì.

They held a retro-style bowing ceremony.

Tips

culture

The signature ritual of a traditional (中式) Chinese wedding: 一拜天地 (heaven and earth) → 二拜高堂 (the parents) → 夫妻对拜 (the couple to each other). Also written 拜天地.

Stroke Order

拜 bài

堂 táng