A Study on the Marriage Custom of the Presbyterian Church in Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City

• Main Authors: Hui-ying Tsai, 蔡慧櫻
• Other Authors: none
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/34039597071114392413

碩士 === 國立臺南大學 === 台灣文化研究所碩士班 === 101 === The marriage customs in Taiwan originated from mainland China; though being simplified and diversified, the engagement and marriage modes remain. Yancheng Presbyterian Church has been instituted in Kaohsiung for 89 years. Its marriage custom was presented through engagement and marriage services, which differs from traditional customs. This study discusses the characteristic and contents of the marriage custom of Yancheng Presbyterian Church. The wedding ceremony of the Presbyterian Church holds through taking oath in the presence of God. Admiring idols and having a superstitious belief in customs are not allowed; forming a Christian family is expected. Therefore, when members and non-Christian prepare weddings, those need to be communicated and discussed by both families. Those who hold engagement and wedding services in Yancheng Presbyterian Church should be either that both sides are members or Christians, or that one is member while the other is non-Christian. The preparation includes borrowing the church and inviting the priest to be witness, discussing types and contents of the ceremony, preparing a procedure and presentations, having a rehearsal the day before the wedding, and decorating the church. The preparation for engagement and marriage in Presbyterian Church is simplified and not wasted. The prepared presentations are simplified into rings and bride cakes, and should be necessary and practical. If one of the newly-wed is not a Christian, both should confirm the ceremony type before preparation. For the marriage custom in Yancheng Presbyterian Church is influenced by Taiwanese customs and practices, the engagement is based on the bride’s marriage customs, and the marriage is based on the groom’s. When preparing presentations, the number and contents depend on the belief of the decision-maker. The places of engagement and marriage are divided into the family, the church, and the restaurant. The marriage custom in Yancheng Presbyterian Church is based on Church Services and Sacraments. In addition, the ceremony is enriched with delivering flowers, parents’ gifting the newly-wed, parents of the bride and groom gifting each other, changing appellations, appreciating parents. Yancheng Church adds traditional marriage customs into the marriage culture of the Presbyterian Church, which differs from the traditional Taiwanese marriage customs and presents the great diversity of Taiwanese culture.