The Preservation of Fire
“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire,” Gustav Mahler.
Fire was indeed the atmosphere of Jackson and Intan’s wedding. The vibrant shades of red certainly dominated the cool winter affair. The gold embroidery on the ensemble complimented the foggy morning ritual effortlessly. The bride and groom’s attire were reminiscent of opulent vintage Chinese videography. It’s a videography that tells the perfect story of the preservation of tradition embedded by rituals.
Although Jackson and Intan’s wedding was loaded with rituals, a few had inspired and captivated our minds. Excitement and passion are the two important ingredients that often fade as life takes its course. A robust spirit is the oxygen that powers the marriage. The burning coals that Intan had to step over represents the fire that will continue to burn between the two of them to warm the cold Beijing night.
Another object that Intan had to step over as prayer for solitude and security was apples. An excessive amount of a good thing can be harmful to a marriage. Too much fire could burn a house down. Having a contrast of peace and tranquility will bring safety to a relationship.
The next ritual carries a depth of meaning. Jackson first cut a small section of Intan’s hair and vice versa. The Master of Ceremony then tie the two’s hair together with a single red string, and laid it in a container. It is the perfect representation of the meaning of marriage. When two become one, let no man separate. An attempt to discern to whom a strain of hair belongs would be as impossible as separating salt from sand. It was an act of vow that binds them to eternity.
The Chinese hold a significant amount of respect for the elderly. Through all the eventful processions, Jackson and Intan remembered to pay respect to their parents. With knees bent, face to the ground they bowed as an act of humility and gratefulness for all the cost the parents have paid for their happiness.
With all the grand gestures of love displayed throughout the rituals, nothing could distract us from the glee of the newlywed’s faces. Arranging wedding was proof that they got each other’s back.
Jackson and Intan’s relationship has one aspect in common with tradition: theyy remain the same. Seasons may change, the moon may often change its shape, but they are each other’s constant.
