Ancient Chinese considered marriage as the origin of all ceremonies. Ceratin rules and formalities had to be observed and certain gifts had to be presented. In the Tang Dynasty, custom went so that tea was treated as a betrothal gift.

Since the Song Dynasty, tea was even more closely related to wedding. A betrothal gift was also termed “tea gift”, and to present a betrothal gift was commonly called “to present tea”. if a girl accepted the gift, that was “to drink tea”. To return the gift, fruits were usually chosen, sometimes together with tea called “to order tea”.

In the Qing Dynasty, the wedding ceremony developed to the systemized ceremony of “three tea”, namely “to present tea” when proposing, “To settle tea” in wedding, and “to join tea” on the 1st night of marriage. Even today, in the countryside, engagement is still called “to accept tea” and the cash gift is called “tea cash”. When a boy goes to a girl’s home on a blind date, the girl will serve him tea in person if she is satisfied with him. And the boy will accept if he is satisfied too.

In the traditional Chinese marriage ceremony, both the bride and groom kneel in front of their parents and serve them tea as an expression of gratitude. The parents will usually have a sip of the tea and then give the couple a red envelop, which symbolizes good luck.