First Parsel Ceremony at Masonic Hall the frst' Parsee wedding was ter, Unique inthe history of Shanghai
formed just after sunset on Suntey the Monel 085 ven sariat "became the wife of Mr.
when Biss' Naja Comers HRustom "Curse "Ungar before Practically the entire Ise Parsee Sommunity, as well as a umber of Parsee ladies in pastel coloured sar litering with? Jewel oe Vivid best frocks of silk or satin, iscent trimming, sniall girls in
Priests in the unrelieved white det Inaned "by tradition, - made the scene in the crowded hall one Temembered. The walls were landed with aut flowers and sth the fag of the nations while 2 liege floral "wedding bell from: the celling. In the" westers manner, also, the music, the same wedding march to which countless brides have moved down the church aisle, Four chairs had been placed on the square of carpet at the end of the hall, flanked' by two. electric, candles on tall standards and two small tables bearing the symbolic Jeal cocaonnts, trays of rice and burn ing lamp, as well as the rolls of white cotton used in "tying the marriage knot." of flowers around trying a shower bouquet of "roses, brought into ly her attendant, waited he unmarried women for also wore a. garland Touquet. 'The ce for the' bridegroom. is. white, come pleted by' the characteristic' round The two priests, Str. Jai Mado, also were the witnesses, Karanjia and ladies, Mrs. Karanjia, who repre-ented the bride, whose mother is dead, and Mrs. Ji. C. Umrigar, the fister-in-law of the bridegroom and therefore appearing on behalf of his family," wore peach-coloured The Ceremony bride and bridegroom first faced one another and the symbolic cal strand of colton was passed around them. "They next. tuned toward the st and' the ceremony continued, the priests chanting and Ainging: the rice of good omen over the couple: The ceremony, not tirely in accordance with the ancient Persian' customs, since the. Parsees have been true to their promise to incorporate Hinds features, the Hindus when they were received as refugees 1,800 years ago, conducted in" both Persian and Pazend.
In the language of symbols, the incessant shower of rice from the hands of the priests means a shower of blessings on the pair, since rice taken to represent the staple of life, Admonitions, advice and the final acquiescence of the two concerned are included in the service, a confirmation of the solemn betrothal ceremony which took place some time before. The witnesses are of vital importance, since their names must appear on the marriage documents.
Before the actual ceremony, the bride and bridegroom take sacred baths with consecrated water, known as nin, The presence of the candles on either side of the chairs, as well as the tiny, eternally burning lamp, also are important, since fire is holy, the destroyer of all evil.
Among the invited guests, n ade dition to the members of the Parsee community, were Mr. and Mrs. A. 'M. Cannan, Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Ball, Dr. and Mrs. A. Paris, Mi 'W. H, Taylor, Dr, Santell Mis, 8. Levy, Mir. and "Mrs. C. Mathew, Mr. Pao-shu, Mr. 6. 8. Gilson, Mr. -M. J. Danenberg and Mrs. J. M. Lewis Fa al, AL McKinney, MP.'
Evans, Sh Gomersail, &. 3M. Gran, J. Hook:
Roberts, Waitnes,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.