When it comes to traditional Chinese weddings, every detail—down to the color of the dress or the motif on a hairpin—carries deep symbolism. These elements aren’t just beautiful to look at; they tell a story about love, loyalty, happiness, and family.

Whether you’re planning a full Chinese-style wedding or simply want to honour your heritage through a pre-wedding photoshoot, here’s a look at the most iconic symbols and what they mean.

1. Double Happiness (囍) – A Blessing for Joyful Marriage

You’ll spot this bold red symbol everywhere—from wedding invitations to tea ceremony décor and embroidered wedding outfits. The Double Happiness character combines two “喜” (happiness) characters side by side and represents shared joy between the couple.

It’s the ultimate emblem of a happy, lasting marriage and is often placed behind couples during ceremonies or in photo backdrops. It can also be a nice prop to pose with for more candid, casual couple shots!

2. The Phoenix and the Dragon – Balance and Power

In Chinese culture, the dragon and phoenix are more than mythical creatures—they are powerful symbols of love and harmony. The dragon represents masculinity, strength, and imperial authority; the phoenix, femininity, grace, and renewal. When paired together, they embody the union of yin and yang, a balanced partnership between equals.

Modern brides often wear robes adorned with phoenixes, while grooms may don attire featuring dragons. When both motifs appear together on wedding garments, they become a striking symbol of marital bliss, mutual respect, and unity.

Historically, this iconic pairing was not so commonly seen in wedding attire except among the highest-ranking aristocrats. In the Ming dynasty, there was a concept known as “ceremonial imitation attire” (仿礼服), which allowed commoner brides to wear robes modeled after the formal dress of ninth-rank noblewomen. These wedding ensembles included elaborate headdresses and shawls (xiapei), though strict rules governed their design. While first-rank ladies wore shawls embroidered with gold threads and rich patterns like phoenixes or auspicious birds, ninth-rank brides were limited to plain red gauze shawls with no decorative motifs.

Still, many brides found ways to express their joy and hopes for the future. Using delicate silk threads, they would lovingly hand-embroider birds, flowers, and other auspicious symbols onto their wedding garments—a beautiful blend of tradition, artistry, and heartfelt blessings for a new chapter of life.

3. Peonies – Prosperity and Romance

Peonies, often called the “king of flowers” (花王), have long been admired in Chinese culture for their lush beauty and rich symbolism. During the Tang dynasty—a golden age of art, fashion, and poetry—peonies were especially beloved. They appeared frequently in palace gardens, literature, and imperial robes, becoming a visual shorthand for wealth, elegance, and romantic ideals.

In bridal symbolism, peonies represent not just material prosperity but also a joyful and passionate union. This made them a popular motif for noblewomen’s attire in the Tang dynasty and a timeless choice for modern brides today.

In wedding hanfus, you’ll often find peony motifs delicately embroidered on flowing skirts or layered sleeves, echoing the romantic spirit of Tang dynasty fashion. Peonies can also be worn in the hair to convey blessings for love, abundance, and a beautiful new beginning.

4. Red – The Colour of Celebration

Red is the most auspicious colour in Chinese tradition. It wards off evil spirits and brings happiness, luck, and success. That’s why red dominates everything from wedding outfits to décor and even envelopes (hongbao).

Before the Ming dynasty, brides and grooms wore a variety of colours, including green, white, and even black, depending on the dynasty and local customs. It wasn’t until the Ming era (1368–1644) that red began to dominate wedding attire.

The Ming dynasty placed a strong emphasis on Confucian rituals and social hierarchy, and with that came the formalisation of ceremonial dress. Red was chosen as the standard colour for wedding garments because of its long-standing associations with joy, prosperity, and auspiciousness. It was also the colour used in imperial celebrations, giving it an added layer of authority and prestige.

This practice was further reinforced in the Qing dynasty (1644–1912), when wedding ceremonies became even more structured and elaborate. Red was used not only in bridal gowns but also in veils, decorations, sedan chairs, and bedding—turning the entire event into a visual display of happiness and good fortune.

The tradition has endured because its symbolism still resonates today. Red embodies the joyful energy of new beginnings, the warmth of family celebration, and the deep cultural pride rooted in centuries of heritage. Whether worn in a grand ceremony or a styled hanfu photoshoot, red continues to connect modern couples to a rich lineage of love, ritual, and beauty.

5. Gold – Wealth and Longevity

Red and gold are a classic pairing for a reason. Gold represents prosperity, royalty, and longevity. You’ll often see gold embroidery on a bride’s outfit or gold jewellery gifted by family.

Even subtle gold details—like hairpins or waist sashes in hanfu—carry this meaning of enduring love and abundance. In our traditional hanfu wedding photoshoots, we like to include this symbolism in our prop of choice for the bride - a beautiful kesi (缂丝) fan held right in your hands.

Kesi is an exquisite silk-weaving technique dating back to the Tang and Song dynasties, renowned for its fine craftsmanship and delicate, tapestry-like textures. Unlike ordinary embroidery, Kesi is woven by hand on a loom, allowing for intricate patterns and vibrant contrasts—often incorporating real gold threads to create a subtle, luxurious shimmer. Whether you're posing for a bridal portrait or holding the fan during a symbolic moment in the 却扇 ritual on your wedding day, it's a quiet yet powerful detail that connects your modern love story to centuries of artistry and tradition.

Bringing Symbolism to Life Through Photography

In Singapore, more couples are turning to Chinese bridal photoshoots to honour their heritage in a way that feels both personal and visually stunning. If understanding the history and culture behind wedding hanfu is meaningful to you, we’re delighted to share more about the stories woven into every design, while helping you choose an outfit that enhances your natural elegance and reflects the essence of your love story.

Thinking of a Traditional Chinese Wedding Photoshoot in Singapore?

Whether you’re planning a pre-wedding shoot, celebrating an anniversary, or simply want to honour your roots, we’ll help you create something timeless—full of meaning, rich in beauty, and definitely unique. Contact us here!