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- Bridal palanquin
Bridal palanquin
- HI 10521
- The Han, Beijing
Bridal palanquins were used to carry a bride to the home of the bridegroom. Bridal palanquins were categorized into hongjiao ‘red carriages’ and huajiao ‘flower carriages’. Red carriages had red cloth outside and black inside, and required four carriers. The exhibit is a gorgeous flower carriage with embroidery and windows, requiring eight persons to carry it. The palanquin was led by lantern holders and bands of musicians, and was followed by crates of wedding furniture. The length of the procession represented the social status of the bride’s family. Following the foundation of people’s communes in 1958, bridal palanquins disappeared. However, today, the custom has been revived in a few villages.