An Unusual Wedding Tradition: Three Arrows for the Bride (6 photos)

The wedding tradition of the Uyghur people in China includes a ritual in which the groom shoots three arrows toward the bride. This ceremony symbolizes certain cultural and spiritual values ​​passed down from generation to generation.





This is a wedding tradition among the Uyghurs in China (yes, the same ones often described in the American media as living in perpetual oppression and on reservations).

But not all of them, the urban ones. This practice is practiced by villagers in the Sunan Yugur Autonomous County. The ethnic group numbers approximately 14,000 people. They practice Tibetan Buddhism and speak a Turkic language.

Why shoot the bride with a bow?



Please appreciate the gorgeous costume with leopard sleeves and dragons on the caftan!

Because this tradition dates back to ancient times, and thankfully there were no pistols back then. Because the main goal of the ritual is to hit, but not completely. The arrow should gently touch the bride's clothing, but not her. If the clothing is touched but not damaged, the groom will be the most handsome man in the village.





The girl doesn't cover herself with a shield; it's a veil for modesty.

For archery, the groom must use a specially crafted bow made of pink willow. He must shoot at the bride's back! Of course, to avoid accidents, the sharp metal tips are removed from the arrows. As the locals say:

"One arrow wards off evil spirits, two arrows wish for a long and happy union, and three arrows are a testimony to their vows of eternal love."

This ritual originated from a legend about a bride being attacked by three demons. On her wedding day, she was fleeing from pursuit, and her groom, seeing her, fired at her – the arrows missed her but did not injure her. Thus, he skillfully saved the girl. So, in this tradition, the groom demonstrates his ability to save the girl from danger.



These rituals originated from nomadic traditions, which is why horses, arrows, and cattle are heavily involved.

In 2011, the Three Arrows ceremony was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage! After the arrows are fired, the bow is broken and thrown near the bride's house. And this isn't the last bonfire at this wedding. When the bride arrives at the groom's house, the groom's family lights two bonfires on either side of the path. The bride must walk between the flames, symbolically undergoing a "fire cleansing"—a ritual designed to cleanse her of misfortune.

And also a leg of lamb



The bride modestly covers her face with a colorful veil.

Weddings also feature the ritual of "bonding skin and fur." ​​When the groom arrives at the bride's house to pick up his betrothed, her family gives him a new outfit, and he is obliged to change into it. While he's donning the new garments, the groom is praised, and the bride ties a shank of lamb, oiled and wrapped in wool, to the groom's belt. This shank becomes a deep, earthly connection between the groom and the bride, as it provided him with clothing and food.



If I were the girl, I'd still place a steel plate under my veil, covering my face...