A Chinese wedding tradition involves a young boy rolling across the newlyweds’ bed three times while chanting blessings. - Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/RedNote
BEIJING: At some Chinese weddings, a little boy is invited to roll across the wedding bed while chanting blessings, praying for the couple to have children and enjoy prosperity.
Known as gun chuang or “rolling the bed”, this centuries-old tradition originated in northern China but has since spread nationwide.
In ancient China, when populations were small and productivity low, families desperately hoped for a male heir to help with agricultural work.
Legend tells of a woman from the Zhao family who, after bearing six daughters in a row, became desperate for a son.
One night, she dreamed of a wise old man with flowing white hair who whispered to her the secret to bearing a son.
The next morning, the wife visited her brother-in-law’s house, brought back two little boys and had them roll on her bed three times.
Months later, she gave birth to twin sons, and this method of “praying for a son” soon became a widely known tradition.
In ancient times, male children were highly valued over females, as they were believed to carry the powerful energy that could bring good fortune and wealth to the family.
The selection of “rolling” boys was strict; they must be between five and six years old and usually from the groom’s family.
The boy is required to roll on the bed three times, chanting auspicious phrases like, “This bed is wide, it will be filled with gold and silver mountains next year,” or, “This bed is long, and soon, a top scholar will grace this home.”
The bed is adorned with red sheets and blankets, with the characters “early birth of a noble child” arranged using longan, peanuts and red dates.
As the boy rolls, he must carefully prevent these items from scattering, symbolising that the newlyweds’ love and prosperity will remain unbroken.
If the child resists, the parents will pick him up and toss him onto the bed, letting inertia do the work. Guests gather around, clapping and cheering as the ritual unfolds.
In the final act of the ancient tradition, the little boy is presented with a cash-filled red envelope. - Photo: Douyin/RedNote
Afterwards, the boy is rewarded with sweets and a red envelope containing 20 to 50 yuan (US$3 to US$7).
Many Chinese people view gun chuang as a heartwarming custom that adds joy to a wedding.
But not everyone embraces it.
One online observer said: “This reinforces outdated gender roles. Marriage should be about equality. Why should only boys take part?”
Another said: “It can put unnecessary pressure on the child, especially since they do not understand the ritual.”
In recent years, modern twists on gun chuang have emerged, adding creativity to the tradition.
Little girls are now beautifully dressed to join in, and there are no longer age or number restrictions for the children.
In February, a viral video showed a 26-year-old PhD student from southeastern China rolling on the bed at his older sister’s wedding.
The bride explained that this was to wish for her future children to be as successful in their studies as their uncle. - South China Morning Post
