After having dinner with her and playing for a while, the little girl finally felt sleepy and fell asleep in a short while. Zhou Qingyun looked at her sleeping face for a while before leaving silently and returning to his bedroom. He was worried that someone would mistreat Jia Jia these days, so he would go to see her every other day, but this was the first time he came back so late. He had not finished reading the memorial yet, so he could only continue reading by candlelight.
Wang Shiyu was also about to hold her coming-of-age ceremony. There were many steps in the ceremony, and because they had invited relatively few people, the ceremony process was basically complete, with no savings at all. Everything was arranged by Yu Xiuming himself, even the person who came to comb her hair was arranged by Yu Xiuming himself. I heard that she was a very blessed person.
You have to know that it is not easy to find a blessed person nowadays, especially for those who have experienced the disasters in the past few years. During that turbulent period, many people died.
Soon, two months passed in a flash, and her coming-of-age ceremony was held soon. Because everything was handled by Yu Xiuming, Wang Shiyu followed the process step by step.
The main procedures of the coming-of-age ceremony are: welcoming guests, taking seats, opening ceremony, the person getting the coming-of-age ceremony taking seats, guest washing hands, first addition, first bow, second addition, second bow, third addition, third bow, placing wine, offering sacrifices, naming the person getting the coming-of-age ceremony, listening to instructions, the person getting the coming-of-age ceremony bowing to express gratitude, and ceremony completion.
As a coming-of-age ceremony of great significance in a woman's life, the Jiji ceremony has a complicated and grand process. Before the ceremony, it is necessary to prepare items such as the bestowal of characters, wine utensils, rice bowls, crown hairpins (combs), wash basins (towels), incense burners, straw mats, cushions, trays, candles, etc.
1. Welcoming guests: The host stands on the east steps waiting for the guests; the official stands at the foot of the west steps with a tray; the guests stand outside the venue waiting; the bride (after bathing), changes into her formal clothes and shoes, sits in the east room (dressing room) waiting; the music begins.
2. Seating: There is a strict order. When the main guest arrives, the parents come forward to greet them. After a formal bow, they enter the venue. The main guest takes the main guest seat; the guests take the viewing seats. After all guests are seated, the host takes the host seat.
3. Opening of the Ceremony: The host (mother in the case of father) stands up and gives a brief speech. They can say: Today, the Little Queen Shiyu is having her coming-of-age ceremony. Thank you all for coming! Now, the Little Queen Shiyu's coming-of-age ceremony officially begins!
Then, please invite Wang Shiyu to come in and greet all the guests!
4. The person who has come of age takes her place: the person who gives the first speech comes out first, washes her hands, and takes her place on the west steps; the person who has come of age comes out to the center of the venue, faces south, and bows to the guests watching the ceremony.
Then she sits upright (kneeling) facing west on the mat for the bride. The groom combs her hair and places the comb on the south side of the mat.
5. Guest Washing: This is when the main guest washes his hands in preparation. The main guest rises first, and the host rises later to accompany him. The main guest washes and dries his hands at the foot of the east steps.
After greeting each other, the host and the guest return to their seats.
6. First hairpin: The person turning to the east sits upright. An official presents a silk scarf and a hairpin. The host walks up to the person and recites a blessing in a loud voice: "On this auspicious day of the month, you are first wearing your first hairpin. Let us abandon your childish ambitions and cultivate virtue. May you live a long and healthy life and enjoy great happiness."
Then the master kneels down (knees on mat) to comb the hair of the person getting the hairpin and put on the hairpin, then stands up and returns to the original position. The appraiser symbolically straightens the hairpin for the person getting the hairpin.
The person who has just reached the age of 15 stands up, and the guests bow to her and congratulate her.
The person who came of age returned to the east room, and the assistant took the clothes from the official and went into the room to change into a plain dress that matched the one on her head.
7. First bow: The bride comes out of the room wearing her ruqun and skirt and shows it to the guests.
Then face your mother and perform the formal bow.
This is the first time I bow to express my gratitude to my parents for raising me.
8. Second addition: The person getting the hairpin sits facing east; the main guest washes his hands again and sits back down; the official presents the hairpin, the main guest takes it and walks to the person getting the hairpin.
He chanted the blessing in a loud voice: "In this auspicious month and day, I present you with the proper attire. I will honor your dignity and be virtuous. May you live a long life and receive eternal blessings."
The assistant helps the person wearing the hairpin to put it on. The main guest kneels down, and the person wearing the hairpin puts it on. The main guest then stands up and returns to his seat. The assistant helps the person wearing the hairpin symbolically adjust the hairpin. The guest bows to the person wearing the hairpin.
The woman who has received the hairpin returns to the east room, and the assistant helps her get clothes and go into the room to change into a long gown with a curved hem that matches the hairpin on her head.
9. Second Bow: The bride, wearing a long gown, comes out to show the guests. Then, facing the main guest, she performs a formal bow. This is the second bow.
This time it was to show respect to teachers and predecessors, and this time it was Mr. Liu who was invited to receive the worship.
10. Third Addition: The person getting the hairpin or crown sits facing east; the main guest washes his hands again and sits back down; the official presents the hairpin or crown, the main guest takes it and walks to the person getting the hairpin or crown.
He chanted the blessing aloud: "In the right year, in the order of the month, all are blessed. Brothers are present to complete their virtue. Huangdi has no boundaries and receives the blessing of heaven."
The assistant removes the hairpins for the bride. The guest kneels down, and the bride puts on the hairpins and crown. The bride then stands up and returns to her original position. The assistant helps the bride adjust the crown. The guest bows to the bride.
The person who has come of age returns to the east room, and the assistant helps her get clothes and go into the room to change into a long dress with wide sleeves that matches the futou on her head.
11. Third Bow: The bride, wearing a formal gown with wide sleeves and a hairpin, emerges from the room and displays it to the guests. She then faces the national flag and performs a formal bow. This is the third bow, expressing her determination to carry on the nation's culture and serve the country.
12. Setting up the wine and liquor: Officials remove the ornaments for the coming-of-age ceremony and set up the wine and liquor banquet on the west steps. The main guest bows and invites the coming-of-age bride to the table. The bride then stands on the west side of the table, facing south.
13. Jiaozi: The main guest faces west, the praiser offers wine, the hairpin-haired lady turns north, the main guest takes the wine, walks to the front of the hairpin-haired lady's seat, faces the hairpin-haired lady,
The blessing was recited, "The sweet wine is rich and the recommendation is fragrant. I bow and accept it to ensure good fortune for you. May you receive the blessing from heaven and live a long and arduous life." The woman who had reached the age of marriage bowed and took the sweet wine.
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