@Marilyn 24 December 2024

Ghost Brides Besides entertainment, movies really give us information about things, whether it's inspired or based by a real-life story. I recently came across a horror movie about ghost brides. It's title name already gave me the curiosity more about this trandition which is very common in China. The Philippines is very pact with different cultures, one of them is the Chinese culture. So movies like the Ghost Bride is very interesting to know just like the Feng Shui movie. It's one of the most beautifully done movie with such an interesting plot. And just like the Ghost Bride, it's story is moving. Ghost marriages are often referred to as spiritual marriages mainly for women. It's a cultural trandition observed in Asian countries that involves one or both deceased individuals. In a nutshell, it's about an individual, mostly a woman, who will be married to a dead man who is unmarried before his death. An unmarried individual in Chinese culture is seen by the community as an incomplete soul which is not a good picture for the family. Marriage, as most people see it, is one of the most fulfilling journeys for one's life, especially to older traditions. That is why marrying a deceased individual was believed to "restore hummanity" and fulfill the life of that individual. It's like a fixed marriage but after the marriage, the living is automatically a widow. As per people who have been involved with this tradition, they are given the life of old money. They are given the luxury since most families involved in ghost weddings are rich, in exchange to be part of their family by giving respect to the dead and his soul will still be remembered via the ghost bride herself. Finding women who will be married to the deceased is not that simple. Matchmaker or fortune tellers are often the one who are finding those women who will be suitable with the deceased. Since most are from the Chinese family and as we all know, Chinese are very specific when it comes to their culture so a thorough research is a must which includes matching of Feng shuis. Also since it's a wedding, there are rituals and offerings to be conducted with respect. In modern times, I barely here these type of weddings. As per news reports, there have been cases of robbery and exploitation which have led to legal actions from regions so that abuse to certain tradition will somehow be lessen or stopped. Modern globalization may have taken a big step to discontinue such tradition however, there is a slim chance that these marriages still takes place somewhere else. Despite its controversy, it's history can make a great understanding and take a glimpse of the way society is revolving.