四点金 (Dowry Jewellery)

One of the most familiar practice for the bride’s parents to request for Si Dian Jin as part of the betrothal gifts from the groom’s parent to the bride. The purpose of this practice in the olden days is to ensure that the bride will be married to a wealthy family and guaranteed a wealthy, carefree and happy life.

Si Dian Jin is expected even without the request from the bride’s parents. It is a must even for modern day.

The bride is expected to wear these Si Dian Jin throughout the wedding even during banquet so that all the relatives have opportunities to appreciate the gift.

So which dialect buys what?
The Cantonese, it is a must to buy a pair of gold bangle called dragon and phoenix bangles 龙凤镯. 龙凤镯 is commonly given to the bride during tea ceremony by her in laws, parents and relatives, in appriciation of her taking good care of her in laws and husband, the more 龙凤镯 she receives it also represents the wealthier the family clan is. Also, have you ever notice Qwas are commonly 3/4 sleeves? This is to let the bride show off all the 龙凤镯 she has received, so by the end of the tea ceremony session she will often look like a Christmas tree!

The Teochew, four items of gold called 四点金. The usual items would be a pair of earrings, necklace, ring and bracelet. The custom comes from the Teochew province in China. Houses of the province had four elegantly curved roofs that look like Jin. Commonly referred to as Si Dian Jin, these roofs indicated the status and wealth of the family. When the mother-in-law offers her daughter-in-law Si Dian Jin jewellery, it is a way of saying, "You will always have a roof over your head and a comfortable life." Si Dian Jin usually consists of a necklace, a ring, a bangle, and a pair of earrings. 'The dragon and phoenix' is a preferred design because together they represent Long Fong Pei, the most perfectly matched life partners. A moving tradition, and what lovely jewellery you have to enjoy forever. During the Guo Da Li, the bride is presented with a set of gold jewellery from the groom's side, the Si Dian Jin. -- (with given permission, adapted from Poh Heng's wedding book)

Nowadays cross marriages between the dialect groups are so common, even the non-teochews are requesting for or giving the Si Dian Jin as betrothal jewellery to their daughter-in-law.

It is very common that mother-in-laws prefer to give four items of gold as dowry jewellery to show their relatives that they appreciate their new daughter-in-laws more than money!

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