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BY: KEVIN XU

EXPLORING ANCIENT MARRIAGE\DIVORC

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION p3ANCIENT CHINA (Marriage & Divorce) p4-5ANCIENT GREECE(Marriage & Divorce) p6-7ANCIENT EGYPT(Marriage & Divorce) p8-9ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA(Marriage & Divorce)

p10-11CANADA(Marriage & Divorce) p12-13

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Wedding and divorce customs vary in different countries and pass down from generations to generations. Even one country shares the same tradition, their gratitude and costs are diverge. Marriage are divorce all are based on contracts and finances no matter formal or informal. However, all of the key components are the same: dowry, wedding ceremonies ,gown and financial supports coming from different resources. This project is to help you understand the wedding and divorce customs both in ancient civilizations in Ancient China, Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Mesopotamia and modern Canada.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION p3ANCIENT CHINA (Marriage & Divorce) p4-5ANCIENT GREECE(Marriage & Divorce) p6-7ANCIENT EGYPT(Marriage & Divorce) p8-9ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA(Marriage & Divorce)

p10-11CANADA(Marriage & Divorce) p12-13

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ANCIENT CHINAMarriage

In ancient china , women’s social status is very low, just like an accessory. They are forbidden to be educated or work outside. The bride and groom are usually married at the age of 14 to 18 because

their families support their wedding expenses and residence.

In Ancient China, marriage includes three stages: the future groom family sends a matchmaker and a match prize

to the bride’s family for marriage proposal; If the proposed bride family accepts the gift and the groom’s

family, they would select a lucky date on the emperor's calendar ;The noble brides pick three wedding gowns. First, comes with the traditional red Qipao ( which is a embroidered -traditional –slim-fit dress)or red Cheongsam(same thing ), because red symbolises charm and wealth. Finally, the bride might switch into a white puffed ball gown. On the ceremony, they would invite all of their dearest friends

and family members; At the end of the wedding, the newly couple would spent a candle

night when the groom would impregnate the bride.

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ANCIENT CHINADivorce

In Ancient China divorce is very simple, and the famine side(bride and her family) is very vulnerable. If the mother in law or the husband does not like her, the husband would write a Divorcing Letter for whatever reason, and the wife would be expelled from the family or left struggling to live without any financial share or alimony after the divorce from the groom’s family.

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ANCIENT GREECE Marriage

The marriage customs of Ancient Greece is originated around the fifth century in the city of Sappho. Brides are usually married at the age of fourteen to eighteen, while the groom at the age of 20 to30.In Ancient Greece, marriage include three stages:Marriages in Ancient Greece are planned and arranged by the

future bride or the groom’s family;Once they reach agreement the bride sends a gift to her new groom

and the families holds a financial conference in the form of dowry;Once the groom and the bride live together ,a set of ritual would

take place instead of a wedding:1. The ritual would start with a bath in nuts and milk; 2. The groom would come to the bride’s house raiding a chariot;3. A feast can be held in the bride’s house :4. After the feast the groom brings his bride to be greeted by his

parents and shown to the hearth;5. The new couple would be showed in nuts and fruits , the couple then

retreat to their new bedroom;6. and a baby had to be expected in order for the bride to join her new

family union

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ANCIENT GREECEDivorce

On the other hand, divorce in Ancient Greece is dealt easily comparing to marriage. The men would have to pay back the leftover dowry in cash. Divorce can be caused in many ways such as if the woman did not bear children it would be considered adultery.

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ANCIENT EGYPTMarriage

In Ancient Egypt, marriage and family are very crucial for Egyptians. As a interesting fact, the groom would write love poems for bride’s family and the bride . While the middle class Egyptians are monogamous (meaning marring one wife at a time), the nobles could have multi wives, as the great Pharaoh. The king has one great loyal wife as queen and many minor wives. The bride are usually married at the age of twelve to fourteen, while the groom at the age of 20 to30.

In Ancient Egypt , marriage include two stages:Marriages in Ancient Egypt is planned and arranged by the future bride

or the groom’s family (very similar to Ancient Greece );Once they reach agreement the bride sends a gift to her new groom and

the families holds a financial conference in the form of dowry; the woman’s valuables would be passed down to her children (a protection law is applied to hinder the possibility of transferring her valuables to only one of her decedents). The men would split wealth to the woman for later use if divorced.

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ANCIENT EGYPTDivorce

Very similar to Ancient Greece, the Egyptians punish woman for adultery if no children are bared. If divorce, they could be stoned or set aflame, it is unrecorded that the same treatment are applied to man.

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ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA Marriage

In Ancient Mesopotamia, marriage is bonded by a legal contract , and so does divorce.The bride are usually married at the age of fourteen to eighteen, while the groom at the age of 20 to30. There is one strange convention to be mentioned. Once married, the girl becomes a full member of her future husband’s family. If her husband dies, she has to marry one of his brothers or his near relatives.

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ANCIENT MESPITAMIADivorce

Divorce are also clearly stated in the contract upon marriage. If the divorce occurs, generally, the wife would keep the dowry if they have children. If the marriage does not produce any child, the wife has to return the dowry.

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CANADA Marriage

Canada was established in July 1, 1867, at this time it is one of the British colony and is a much civilized country under the federal government comparing to other ancient countries. Laws are placed to governing marriage and divorce.

The average ages for women and men are 29 and 31 respectively because both man and woman are pursuing better education and self –esteem. Marriages include two stages:

the future groom or bride looks for Mr. Right or Mrs. Right suitable for themselves to date and marry . Comparing Canadian to Ancient Chinese customs, Canadian are more independent and Canadian parents are just giving recommendations instead of making decisions for their future partner.

Once the potential bride or groom is chosen they would select a date and the groom and the bride share the wedding expenses such as the rings, residence, wedding ceremony

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CANADADivorce

The divorce procedure is governed by the Canadian law. The divorce law may varies from province to province across Canada. Divorce must follow strict procedures such as the one-year separation period , and etc.. The Canadian divorce law including child custardy, alimony, property division and etc..

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BIBLIOGRAPHY(NOODLETOOLS)

Works CitedInformation comes from: Drake, Tracey. "Wedding Traditions Canada: Celebrating a Marriage Canadian

Style." Hastag Wedding. Suit.io, n.d. Web. 10 May 2014. "Getting Divorced." Service Canada. Government of Canada, n.d. Web. 10 May

2014. <http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/lifeevents/divorce.shtml>. "Marriage in Ancient Egypt." Ancient Egypt Daily Life. History Link 101, n.d.

Web. 10 May 2014. <http://historylink101.com/n/egypt_1/a-marriage.htm>. "Marriages in Ancient Greece." historylink101.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May

2014. <http://historylink101.com/2/greece3/marriage.htm>. Naranjo, Roberto. "Marriage in Ancient Mesopotamia and Babylonia." History

Article. History Archeive, n.d. Web. 9 May 2014. <http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/articles/ArticleView.cfm?AID=58>.

(Sorry, Mrs. Wilson , I couldn’t find the website I used for China, which comes from my knowledge collected daily. )

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THANK YOU!