What to Prepare for the Dowry? A Detailed Checklist of Dowry Items and the Delivery Process

In traditional Chinese weddings in Hong Kong, the dowry embodies the bride's family's deep care and blessings for their daughter. It is also a significant symbol of the bride's family expressing their sincerity to the groom's family. Increasingly, couples wish to streamline the elaborate wedding processes while preserving the core essence of traditional culture. Below is a detailed guide for couples, introducing the profound meaning of the dowry, a complete list of traditional items, modern simplified alternatives, and the dowry delivery process. Follow these steps to easily prepare for your wedding!

The Profound Meaning of the Dowry

The dowry carries the parents' best wishes for their daughter's new marital life. Every item is imbued with a special meaning and expectation. It also provides the bride with a certain degree of financial security and emotional support after marriage, laying a solid foundation for the couple's life together.

Traditional Dowry Item Checklist

1. Jewellery and Ornaments

• Gold Jewellery: Gold necklaces, bangles, earrings, rings, etc.
• Jade and Precious Stones: Jade bangles, necklaces, pendants, and other items symbolizing peace and safety.
• Pearl Jewellery: Pearl necklaces, earrings, and other elegant accessories.

2. Bedding (in even numbers)

• Dragon and Phoenix Bedding Set: Signifying an auspicious union of the dragon and phoenix, and eternal marital affection.
• Mandarin Duck Pillows: Symbolizing the couple flying wing-to-wing, and everlasting love.
• Bed Sheets and Quilts: Wishing for peace throughout the four seasons and a fulfilling life.
• Slippers: For growing old together.
• Pajamas: Representing intimacy and harmony between the couple.

3. Household Items with Auspicious Meanings

• Heirloom Pail (Spittoon): Wishing for many children and grandchildren, and a flourishing family line.
• Scissors and Ruler: Symbolizing the couple being a perfect pair and owning vast lands; representing resourcefulness and good housekeeping.
• Dragon and Phoenix Bowls and Chopsticks: Wishing for abundance in food and clothing, and a life free from financial worry.
• Red Dates, Dried Longan, Candied Lotus Seeds: For bearing sons quickly and early. These can be scattered on the bed or placed inside the Heirloom Pail.
• Slab Sugar: Wishing for a sweet and blissful life.
• Vase: Symbolizing wealth and an abundant life.
• Copper Basin and Shoes: For growing old together and staying together forever.
• Wallet and Belt: Signifying great wealth and prosperity.
• 72 Sets of Clothes: Wishing for a life of ample sustenance.
• Camphorwood Chest: To hold the dowry, also an auspicious object.

4. Tea Ceremony Supplies

• Tea Set: Teapot, cups, saucers, etc., usually selected in red or gold colours.
• Gold and Silver Thread Kneeling Cushions: Special cushions used during the tea ceremony.
• Candy Box: To hold various auspicious candies.
• Lotus Seeds, Red Dates, Dried Longan: Auspicious ingredients for the tea ceremony.

5. Modern Household Appliances (Depending on the family's financial situation and actual needs)

• Such as a washing machine, refrigerator, television, air conditioner, computer, dressing table, rice cooker, microwave oven, etc.

Simplified Dowry Checklist

Today, many traditional dowry items have practical and easy-to-prepare alternatives, such as:

• Camphorwood Chest Alternative → Red suitcase (adorned with a double happiness decal)
• Heirloom Pail (Spittoon) → Red plastic bucket
• Copper Basin → Red plastic basin or an enamelled basin
• 72 Sets of Clothes → One set for each season (a total of 4 sets)

For an even simpler approach, a "dowry lai see" (red packet) can replace the physical items. The amount of the dowry lai see can reference the customary amounts for the Betrothal Ceremony gift money, focusing on auspicious numbers such as $18,888, $28,888, or $38,888, avoiding amounts ending in the number 4. However, the following dowry categories are still considered essential:

• Bedding: Dragon and Phoenix quilt, pillows, and sheets, for the Bed Setting ritual and the wedding night.
• Tea Ceremony Utensils: A simple tea set, for the tea ceremony upon leaving the home and entering the new home.
• Auspicious Items: Heirloom Pail (or equivalent), bowls, and chopsticks.

Detailed Dowry Delivery Process

The timing of the dowry delivery can be flexible nowadays, especially if the dowry is extensive, it can be spread out over several days. However, it must adhere to the traditional sequence: Betrothal Ceremony → Dowry Delivery → Bed Setting . The best time is after the Betrothal Ceremony, but it can also take place on the same day as the Betrothal Ceremony or the Bed Setting ritual.

Detailed Process Steps

1. Bride's Family Preparation Stage: Prepare all dowry items 1-2 weeks in advance. Neatly package the items and affix "double happiness" symbols or auspicious patterns.
2. Dowry Departure: Select an auspicious time to depart for the groom's family home. Arrange for male relatives or friends to assist with transporting the dowry.
3. Groom's Family Receiving Ceremony: Arrange for the groom and his relatives/friends to greet the bride's family's "dowry delivery team" outside the door and assist in moving the dowry into the groom's home.
4. Placement and Thanks: Neatly place the dowry in the designated location. The groom's family distributes "thank you lai see" to the bride's family's relatives/friends and hosts a meal to express their gratitude and respect.

Whether the dowry is traditional or simplified, the most precious aspect is the care and sincerity presented by the bride's family. May every item carry warm memories and witness every step you and your partner take together.