What Is An Chuang Ceremony and Its Procedure?

Table of Content

1. What is An Chuang ceremony?
2. What are the items needed for An Chuang?
3. What are the step by step procedure?
4. What are the auspicious phrases to recite?
5. What else should I take note of?

What is An Chuang ceremony?

The an chuang ceremony, derived from the mandarin word 安 (an), meaning safe and secure, and 床 (chuang), meaning bed, is one of the Chinese Wedding rituals performed to bless the newlyweds with a harmonious marriage and the hope of bearing many offspring. It is usually conducted 3 days to a week before the wedding day or an auspicious date and time.

What are the items needed for An Chuang?

Changjiu's An Chuang Grain Set

1. A pair of bedside lamp
2. New bed linen, preferably in auspicious colours like red & pink
3. 2 Oranges, representing luck and prosperity
4. an chuang red packet containing $8 or $18
5. descendant pail, symbolising hope for many healthy and happy offspring.
6. fate coins, to bring luck and prosperity.
7. auspicious grain set
8. new bed (optional, but will be good especially for a new house, to start the marriage on a fresh foundation)

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What are the step by step procedure?

Changjiu's An Chuang Fate Coins

1. Entrust the task of setting up and decorating the bed to the groom's grand parents, parents or a 'good fortune' lady (known as the 好命婆 who is in good health, has a living spouse, and with many children). They will help to put on a new set of linens and prepare the bed.
2. Place the fate coins at each corner of the bed, beneath the mattress, to usher in good fortune.
3. Position the remaining fate coins at the corners of a bedroom drawer or cupboard.
4. Ensure that all the fate coins are placed in mini red packets, facing upwards.
5. Place the pair of bedside lamps next to the bed and keep them lit until after the third day of the ceremony.
6. Involve young children in the ceremony by having them roll on the bed, signifying the wish for a healthy and lively future generation.
7. Arrange all the remaining items nicely on a red tray and place it in the center of the bed. 
8. Recite auspicious phrases, infusing the ceremony with blessing and good wishes to complete the ceremony!

What are the auspicious phrases to recite?

Changjiu's An Chuang Red Packet

• 安床，安高高；步步高升，年年进步
• 安床，安好好；夫妻和合，百年好合
• 安床，安多多；子孙多多，满门俊彦
• 安床，安旺旺；家族兴旺，富贵荣华
• 安床，安稳稳；财源广进，平步青云

What else should I take note of?

Changjiu's An Chuang Bedside Lamp

• Feng shui: Avoid placing the bed facing the door and window, and keep the area around the wedding bed free of any sundries.
• Other taboos: Avoid touching the bed after the ceremony, and refrain from sitting or resting on it before the wedding day, even for the soon-to-be newlyweds.

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