Different Dates for Different Cultures

Different cultures have different views on selecting a good date for weddings.

Among the many cultures around the world, the Chinese and Hindu cultures are the most adamant in ensuring a good, auspicious date is selected.

Astrological charts are consulted when choosing a wedding date that is auspicious for the Hindus.  Most likely an elder, knowledgeable family member, a priest or an astrologist using birthdates and phases of the moon, chooses the date and time.  Hinduism teaches that marriage is an important duty for both men and women.  Hence selecting the wedding date and time based on compatibility and affinity of the horoscopes of the partners is important because a marriage joins not just the couple but two extended families.
 

Choosing a good date and time to perform important events has been long used by the ancient Chinese.  Up to today, it is still a very important task for different occasions and choosing a marriage date is one of the many.  Do you know that in this modern times, choosing the right registration of marriage (ROM) date and time is more important than the customary wedding date?  Reason for this is because in the olden days there was no ROM.  A couple is considered married after going through the traditional wedding customs, especially in paying respect to the ancestors and heavenly gods.


For the Muslims, month of Shawwal is the most favored month to get married.  Two months are avoided, that is the sacred months of Muharram and Ramadan.  As the Muslim calendar is based on a lunar calendar, there are no “fixed” days or months for weddings except for the two months mentioned above.  As for the timing, one can marry at any time of the day.  In Malaysia, it is very common to have Muslim wedding ceremonies coincide with the school holiday, as this is the time where families and friends can get together to feast and make merry.

For the Catholics, any day or time is selected except for Good Friday and Holy Saturday during Triduum.  For practical reasons, some dates are not chosen when the church is observing a special period of penance.  Best advise is to ask your local parish on available dates that works best for them and you can have your church wedding in full blast.

Whichever culture you may be observing, whether auspicious date selection is observed or not, the most important thing to remember is to enjoy yourself on that special day.