Everyone has a favorite color in mind and in many cases, their culture also plays a significant role when it comes to associating symbolic or hidden meanings with different colors. The same is true in Chinese culture. A country with a rich heritage; China uses colors symbolically within every ritual, ceremony, festival and, lately, even in business. In fact, compared to the West, China has a surprisingly different and more powerful color symbolism.
The best color Qipao to wear to a wedding or to wear at your wedding, it depends on your culture and family traditions. Here are 9 popular colors of traditional and modern Cheongsam dress that you would normally see. You can choose the appropriate color to wear either talking to the wedding couple (if you are a wedding guest) or your elder family members (if it is your wedding).
Red - Fire: Red symbolizes luck, happiness and joy. It also represents the summer season and the Southern direction. It is believed to be an auspicious color for warding off evil. Brides wear red Qipao for their wedding, which represents vitality, celebration and fertility. For Chinese traditional wedding, or tea ceremony, brides typically wear a red Qipao with dragon and phoenix hand embroideries, along with some other auspicious patterns like lucky cloud, peonies, and etc. Modern brides typically choose wine red instead of pure red.
Can I wear red to a wedding? It depends on you are the bride or guest. To attend Chinese weddings, wedding guests normally do not prefer wearing red to a wedding).
Yellow - Earth: Yellow is an imperial color representing power, royalty and prosperity in traditional Chinese culture. It represents late summer and central direction. Yellow Qipao is not a recommended color to wear as a wedding guest. In Chinese traditional weddings, wedding guests are recommended to wear darker shades.
Black - Water: Black color in Chinese culture is associated with destruction, evil, profundity, disaster and suffering. It is bad fortune and is not recommended to be worn to auspicious occasions like weddings. But in a Western wedding, a chic black fitted Qipao with gold Pankou, along with colorful and lucky symbols will look amazing at a rehearsal dinner or reception hours. For example, butterflies, dragons, and phoenix.
White - Metal: White symbolizes purity in Chinese culture. But in some instances, it is associated with a color worn at funerals. For a Western wedding, a white Japanese silk Qipao with colorful trim and Pankou will bring a romantic and elegant feel to the look. A white Qipao is not recommended to wear at a Chinese wedding.
Blue - Wood: It symbolizes spring, immortality and advancement. A simple blue Qipao might not be a great color for a rehearsal dinner nor a reception, but as a wedding guest, a below-the-knee length Qipao with lace applique is a very appropriate look for all ages. If blue is your favorite color and you want to wear it as a rehearsal dinner dress, add some Panjin embroideries and colors to your wedding Cheongsam to make a statement.
Gold: Gold symbolizes wealth and riches in China. In Southern Asia, vintage gold with 85% of embroideries is a must for weddings. Gold Cheongsam Qipao dress together with dark colors embroideries will make a statement as a wedding guest.
Green: Green stands for wealth, harmony, growth and eco friendliness. Emerald green or baby green would both make an excellent color of Qipao for rehearsal dinner and reception outfits. Brides can choose different fabric with different weights depending on the weather during the year. Green silk Qipao with hand embroideries are one of the popular colors to wear for all seasons.
Purple: In Chinese culture, it stands for divinity and immortality. It is a great color to wear at a wedding for both bride, mother of brides and wedding guests. Purple Cheongsam dress can be matched with colorful embroideries of flowers, especially pink flowers like cherry blossom and lotus flower.