Cai qing, dressing the chair green
Before the bridal chair sets off, banyan and young bamboo are tied to its corners: the banyan for long life, the bamboo for rising joint by joint. Only then is it lifted out.
Pronunciation cǎi qīng｜Rites of passage｜One entry in the Chaoshan glossary
What it means
Cai qing is greening the bridal chair: sprigs of banyan and fresh bamboo are tied to the four corners, and some families stand one on the roof of the chair as well. At the same time a basin of clear water is sprinkled lightly over the chair, or pomegranate flowers are dipped and shaken over the chair and over the stretch of road it will take.
Tied green and sprinkled water together make the chair ready, and that is why it is called greening.
When you see it
Done at the bride’s door before the chair sets out; it is lifted only once the branches are on. When the chair reaches the groom’s door the party unties the banyan and bamboo and carries them in.
Words easily confused
This is not hanging red: red cloth and silk are for joy, green branches are for growth and long life. Nor is the sprinkling a washing of the chair — the water goes on the chair and on the road behind it, to hold off what might be picked up on the way.
Read next: Marriage here: from the six rites to seeing the bride again at the Lantern Festival.
See also: Rites of passage: five thresholds.
Same group: the bride’s lament, kicking the chair door.
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Last revised: 3 November 2026