Instead of a ring—a bite that draws blood (7 photos)

If you love, bite! This is the motivation behind the Miao people of China, who would bite each other hard and painfully, wantonly!





Bites seal love

This is actually a real and still practiced courtship ritual in couples; it has even been listed as an intangible cultural heritage at the Hainan provincial level.



A Cultural Celebration in Traditional Miao Dress

This practice, known as yao shou ding qing, or "biting the hand to seal love," reflects the deeply held philosophy of the Miao people, which holds that "everything leaves a trace." The ritual is usually performed under evergreen trees, such as betel palms, which symbolize eternal love.





Only brave guys fall in love with a girl with good teeth!

There's even a folk song about this: "Brother, give me your hand, and I'll leave a bite mark. The deeper the mark, the deeper our love. Green mountains may never grow old, but the mark will remain – seeing the bite mark is like seeing you again."

When is it appropriate to bite someone?



It's worth noting that there are few young people in the village; many leave for the cities, returning only once a year.

During holidays. For example, on the third day of the third lunar month, when the traditional Miao festival of ancestor worship takes place. Then young men and women gather under betel trees or on grassy hillsides. When a young man falls in love, he might play a melody to the girl, like a serenade about love. If she doesn't like him back or is already in love, then the bite should be light and polite, a "politeness bite."



On major holidays, they also have a wife-carrying contest. Just like us!

But the more you like a guy, THE HARDER YOU HAVE TO BITE. If you're absolutely madly in love, they'll bite you hard enough to draw blood. This strong and deliberate bite serves as a powerful symbol of acceptance and deep emotional commitment. After a girl has reciprocated a guy's feelings, he gives her a silver piece of jewelry (a ring or earrings) to seal their love pact. In exchange, the girl will give him something handmade—a bamboo hat or a basket, for example.



In Japan, entire communities are dedicated to the marks left by "love bites." But that's Japan.

The couple then holds an engagement ceremony called "eating the chicken," symbolizing their approval of the marriage. The bride's family slaughters a chicken to serve to the groom's family, symbolizing their approval of the marriage. It's funny, but among the Yao people of China, it's the other way around: a man bites a woman as a sign of love and devotion. But here, it's a bit more complicated. A weak bite indicates a lack of love; a bruise indicates a lack of caring and protectiveness.



The key here is not to overdo it. It's funny, but when it bites, it's funny.

So, if you have to choose, it's better to let girls bite; there's less chance of screwing up. Plus, their jaws are weaker, and men's skin is thicker. Less injury.