November 21, 2006

• Double Happiness is a well-known Chinese character. It is depicted
  either in paper cut-out or on a red piece of paper, and is affixed in
  such a position as to easily attract the eyes of young couples. This
  character is a sign of goodness. There’s a story behind it:

  During the reign of Tang dynasty, one young boy was on his way to the
  capital to appear for an examination, the results of which would
  qualify the candidate with highest marks to become a minister in the
  royal court. On the way, he suddenly fell ill. While he was passing
  through a mountainous village, he came across an herbal practitioner
  who took him to his home. Thanks to the doctor, and his young daughter,
  the young boy recovered soon. Leaving the doctor’s house was difficult
  for the young boy as he had fallen in love with the doctor’s daughter
  during his stay there. Before the boy left, the young girl wrote down
  the right hand part of a couplet for the boy. He left their house,
  promising that he would marry her as soon as he finished the
  examination.

  Thankfully, the young boy passed the examination and received the
  highest score. The emperor showed appreciation for boy’s knowledge.
  During his interview with the boy, the king asked him to complete the
  right hand part of a couplet. Suddenly, the young boy remembered what
  his young love had written for him. Realizing that it was perfect
  answer to the emperor’s couplet, he answered the emperor with her
  words. The emperor was more than happy with his reply, and soon
  appointed him as a minister in the court. He also permitted the boy
  some time to visit his hometown before assuming the office. The young
  boy went straight to the young girl and told her everything about the
  examination. He kept his promise to her, and they got married. On their
  wedding day, both of them wrote the same right half of a couplet, which
  had kept them together. This is how the double happiness character came
  to be.

  Since then, this character has represented love, happiness, and luck,
  and has evolved into part of the social custom for the Chinese wedding.
  You can find the Double Happiness character at the Museum of the
  American West and at Autry National Center. Movies have even been made
  about “Double Happiness.”

  

  • 12:52 am
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