Why some families in China still arrange ghost marriages

In China, an ancient tradition takes a mysterious turn in some remote regions ghost marriages, where the living are wed to the dead, blur the line between life and death.

What is a Ghost Marriage?

Dating back almost 3,000 years, ghost marriages are an ancient Chinese practice in which a dead person is “married” to another deceased individual or, in rare cases, to a living spouse.

The superstition behind this unusual practice stems from the belief that families are afraid their unmarried deceased relatives will be lonely in the afterlife. They arrange marriages to provide companionship for the dead and maintain harmony between the spiritual and living worlds.

It’s believed that if a bachelor’s grave is situated close to that of an unmarried woman, the man’s spirit will remain trapped in bachelorhood, a situation most families seek to avoid through ghost marriage.

How Are These Marriages Arranged?

The ritual begins when the family of the deceased consults a Feng Shui master to find a match for their loved one. If a match is found, the corpse is exhumed, dressed as a bride and groom, and a traditional wedding ceremony is held. In the same way as normal weddings, these unions of ghosts involve elaborate rituals and considerable financial cost.

Although illegal, ghost marriages still take place in secret due to deeply rooted cultural beliefs and practices. Ghost marriages may seem shocking to outsiders, but for some communities, they are an important tradition to maintain spiritual balance and honor family ties after death.

Also Read: Myanmar earthquake claims over 3,600 lives as rescue efforts fade