What is the traditional Thai Silver and Gold Gate Blocking? Why must it be blocked?
The Silver and Gold Gate Blocking is one of the traditions that brings joy to Thai weddings. This ceremony usually takes place when the groom travels to the bride’s house to receive her into the marriage ceremony. The highlight is the bride’s relatives or friends lining up to block the “gate” made from silver, gold or colored silk threads that are placed across the walkway.
In some weddings, the bridesmaids often have games for the groom to play before opening the door, such as push-ups, guessing, or shouting “I love you” to test and ask for something in return from the groom before he can get to the bride.
But do you know how many doors there should be. When blocking the Silver and Gold Gates according to proper tradition?
How many doors should there be in the Silver and Gold Gates?
According to traditional Thai wedding traditions, the gates for the Khan Mak procession are usually set up with three gates: the Victory Gate, the Silver Gate, and the Golden Gate. Each gate has a different meaning and sequence of ceremonies as follows:
Victory Gate: This is the first checkpoint. Which is usually in front of the bride’s house if the event is not held at a hotel. Therefore, it is considered an auspicious occasion to open the door to welcome the bride before the wedding ceremony. The person blocking the door will hold a piece of cloth on each side, or the first level of blocking the door is called “closing the Khan Mak door”. At this door, there will be negotiations depending on the atmosphere. Before passing through this level of the door. The groom’s side must give an envelope of money to the person blocking the door. Which is called “the gift of money like a trio”.
Silver Gate: The Silver Gate means having a happy married life, rich in money. The gate blockers will each hold a piece of silk cloth on each side, or a cloth of a better quality than the cloth used to block the Victory Gate. In this area, there will be negotiations just like at the Victory Gate. But the envelope of money given must be of higher value. The envelope given to the gate blockers will be called “the extra gift” and the last gate.
Golden Gate: The meaning of this gate is to be rich with gold and have a married life. That is prosperous like gold. The person blocking this gate will hold a fine silk cloth or some gatekeepers may use a gold necklace to block the gate. And like the previous two gates. There will be teasing and bargaining to let the groom pass through the gate to receive the bride. But the difficulty at this gate is more than the previous two gates. Of course the money envelope must be worth more than the previous two gates. The money envelope given to the gatekeeper is called “the most unique free gift”.
From all that has been said, it can be seen that blocking the silver and gold doors is like adding color to increase auspiciousness in the event and to bring smiles to the guests who attend the event, the bride and groom, which is like a traditional event that has been passed down. However, even though the original tradition had 3 doors, at present there have been changes from the original tradition in terms of what is used to block the doors, the number of doors, depending on the adjustments according to the event for appropriateness.
In addition, the belief in blocking the golden gates is that if the groom passes through all the gates smoothly, it will be a sign of a smooth and perfect married life in the สนใจสมัคร? คลิกที่นี่เพื่อเริ่มต้น future.