1. 1

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
2
INTRODUCTION p3
ANCIENT CHINA (Marriage & Divorce)
p4-5
ANCIENT GREECE(Marriage & Divorce)
p6-7
ANCIENT EGYPT(Marriage & Divorce)
p8-9
ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA(Marriage & Divorce)
p10-11
CANADA(Marriage & Divorce)

3. INTRODUCTION3
 Wedding and divorce customs vary in different countries and
pass down from generations to generations. Even one
country shares the same tradition, their gratitude and costs
are diverge. Marriage are divorce all are based on contracts
and finances no matter formal or informal. However, all of
the key components are the same: dowry, wedding
ceremonies ,gown and financial supports coming from
different resources. This project is to help you understand
the wedding and divorce customs both in ancient civilizations
in Ancient China, Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, Ancient
Mesopotamia and modern Canada.

4. TABLE OF CONTENTS
4
INTRODUCTION p3
ANCIENT CHINA (Marriage & Divorce)
p4-5
ANCIENT GREECE(Marriage & Divorce)
p6-7
ANCIENT EGYPT(Marriage & Divorce)
p8-9
ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA(Marriage & Divorce)
p10-11
CANADA(Marriage & Divorce)

5. ANCIENT CHINA
Marriage
5
In ancient china , women’s social status is very low, just like an
accessory. They are forbidden to be educated or work outside. The
bride and groom are usually married at the age of 14 to 18 because
their families support their wedding expenses and residence.
In Ancient China, marriage includes three stages:
 the future groom family sends a matchmaker and a match prize to
the bride’s family for marriage proposal;
 If the proposed bride family accepts the gift and the groom’s
family, they would select a lucky date on the emperor's calendar ;
The noble brides pick three wedding gowns. First, comes with the
traditional red Qipao ( which is a embroidered -traditional –slim-fit
dress)or red Cheongsam(same thing ), because red symbolises charm
and wealth. Finally, the bride might switch into a white puffed ball
gown.
 On the ceremony, they would invite all of their dearest friends and
family members;

6. ANCIENT CHINA
Divorce
6
In Ancient China divorce is very simple, and the famine
side(bride and her family) is very vulnerable. If the
mother in law or the husband does not like her, the
husband would write a Divorcing Letter for whatever
reason, and the wife would be expelled from the
family or left struggling to live without any financial
share or alimony after the divorce from the groom’s
family.

7. ANCIENT GREECE
Marriage
7
The marriage customs of Ancient Greece is originated around
the fifth century in the city of Sappho. Brides are usually
married at the age of fourteen to eighteen, while the groom at
the age of 20 to30.
In Ancient Greece, marriage include three stages:
 Marriages in Ancient Greece are planned and arranged by
the future bride or the groom’s family;
 Once they reach agreement the bride sends a gift to her
new groom and the families holds a financial conference in
the form of dowry;
 Once the groom and the bride live together ,a set of ritual
would take place instead of a wedding:
1. The ritual would start with a bath in nuts and milk;
2. The groom would come to the bride’s house raiding a
chariot;
3. A feast can be held in the bride’s house :
4. After the feast the groom brings his bride to be greeted
by his parents and shown to the hearth;
5. The new couple would be showed in nuts and fruits , the

8. ANCIENT GREECE
Divorce
8
On the other hand, divorce in Ancient
Greece is dealt easily comparing to
marriage. The men would have to pay back
the leftover dowry in cash. Divorce can be
caused in many ways such as if the woman
did not bear children it would be
considered adultery.

9. ANCIENT EGYPT
Marriage
9
In Ancient Egypt, marriage and family are very crucial for
Egyptians. As a interesting fact, the groom would write love
poems for bride’s family and the bride . While the middle
class Egyptians are monogamous (meaning marring one wife
at a time), the nobles could have multi wives, as the great
Pharaoh. The king has one great loyal wife as queen and
many minor wives. The bride are usually married at the age
of twelve to fourteen, while the groom at the age of 20 to30.
In Ancient Egypt , marriage include two stages:
 Marriages in Ancient Egypt is planned and arranged by the
future bride or the groom’s family (very similar to Ancient
Greece );
 Once they reach agreement the bride sends a gift to her
new groom and the families holds a financial conference in
the form of dowry; the woman’s valuables would be passed
down to her children (a protection law is applied to hinder

10. ANCIENT EGYPT
Divorce
10
Very similar to Ancient Greece, the Egyptians punish
woman for adultery if no children are bared. If
divorce, they could be stoned or set aflame, it is
unrecorded that the same treatment are applied to
man.

11. ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA
Marriage
11
In Ancient Mesopotamia, marriage is bonded by a
legal contract , and so does divorce.
The bride are usually married at the age of fourteen
to eighteen, while the groom at the age of 20 to30.
There is one strange convention to be mentioned.
Once married, the girl becomes a full member of her
future husband’s family. If her husband dies, she
has to marry one of his brothers or his near
relatives.

12. ANCIENT MESPITAMIA
Divorce
12
Divorce are also clearly stated in the contract upon
marriage. If the divorce occurs, generally, the wife
would keep the dowry if they have children. If the
marriage does not produce any child, the wife has to
return the dowry.

13. 13
CANADA
Marriage
Canada was established in July 1, 1867, at this time it is
one of the British colony and is a much civilized country
under the federal government comparing to other
ancient countries. Laws are placed to governing
marriage and divorce.
The average ages for women and men are 29 and 31
respectively because both man and woman are
pursuing better education and self –esteem.
Marriages include two stages:
 the future groom or bride looks for Mr. Right or Mrs.
Right suitable for themselves to date and marry .
Comparing Canadian to Ancient Chinese customs,
Canadian are more independent and Canadian
parents are just giving recommendations instead of
making decisions for their future partner.
 Once the potential bride or groom is chosen they

14. CANADA
Divorce
14
The divorce procedure is governed by the Canadian
law. The divorce law may varies from province to
province across Canada. Divorce must follow strict
procedures such as the one-year separation period ,
and etc.. The Canadian divorce law including child
custardy, alimony, property division and etc..

15. BIBLIOGRAPHY(NOODLETOOLS)
15
Works Cited
Information comes from:
 Drake, Tracey. "Wedding Traditions Canada: Celebrating a Marriage
Canadian Style." Hastag Wedding. Suit.io, n.d. Web. 10 May 2014.
 "Getting Divorced." Service Canada. Government of Canada, n.d. Web.
10 May 2014.
<http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/lifeevents/divorce.shtml>.
 "Marriage in Ancient Egypt." Ancient Egypt Daily Life. History Link 101,
n.d. Web. 10 May 2014. <http://historylink101.com/n/egypt_1/a-
marriage.htm>.
 "Marriages in Ancient Greece." historylink101.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12
May 2014. <http://historylink101.com/2/greece3/marriage.htm>.
 Naranjo, Roberto. "Marriage in Ancient Mesopotamia and Babylonia."
History Article. History Archeive, n.d. Web. 9 May 2014.
<http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/articles/ArticleView.cfm?AID=58>.
(Sorry, Mrs. Wilson , I couldn’t find the website I used for China, which
comes from my knowledge collected daily. )

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THANK YOU!