Chinese wedding games and hazing, the sometimes violent pranks stirring up social media

Games are a staple of Chinese weddings, but some get out of hand, resulting in abuse and injury that have sparked debate online

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A still from a viral Chinese social media video of a woman being tied to a lamppost by men during a Chinese wedding hazing ritual. Photo: Weibo

Published: 7:15am, 5 Nov 2024Updated: 1:13pm, 7 Nov 2024

A Chinese wedding has many of the trappings of a Western marriage and in addition rituals, traditions and matters of etiquette to follow. In our series on Chinese weddings, we break these down and tell you how to get everything right.

Respecting traditions is important at a Chinese wedding.

There are many that couples can engage in, from tea ceremonies to a hair combing custom that symbolises the transition into adulthood.

Games are also an important part of Chinese weddings around the world.

A groom holding a bouquet knocks on his bride’s door while his bride’s friends watch. Door games are a staple of Chinese weddings in which the groom and his friends must complete challenges to “claim” the bride. Photo: Getty Images

Chuangmen, or door games, are born out of the idea that a bride is a prized daughter who will not be let go of easily.

According to Hong Kong wedding platform Bride and Breakfast, the challenges are usually organised by the bridesmaids and involve the groom completing tasks in order to “claim” his bride.

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Chinese wedding customs

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