Wedding by North Thai Tradition

In true Lanna tradition, as practiced in Northern Thailand, a young man will normally visit the house of the girl to whom he is attracted, in order to court her. After sunset, she will tend to her work in front of the house awaiting his arrival.

After a courtship period, and when they decide to tie the knot, they will engage in a “candles of destiny” ceremony, which is akin to a marriage registration, to show the couple has become husband and wife.

One candle has the bride's name inscribed on it, with the bridegroom's on the other and both candles are tied together with sacred, white thread. The names of married couple are inscribed in the Lanna dialect on a strip of silver by an old master who used to be in the monkhood.

The silver strip is placed between the candles and also tied to them with white thread to denote the couple is united as one.

If one of the couple passes away, the candle bearing his or her name is cut into two pieces, an act known as Kok Thian, and the pieces buried. It is believed that the spirit of the deceased will haunt the living one if the deceased name is still on the candle.