Marriage certificates evolve in 60 years

• Source: Global Times
• [18:07 September 27 2009]
• Comments

1962
 

Puyi, the last emperor in China's history, got his marriage certificate in 1962 after the People's Republic of China was founded.

1963

1965
 

During the decade-long havoc of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), Mao Zedong was divinized, and his words were deemed as the ultimate truth, and as instructive as scientific theories. Amid the personal worship frenzy, even marriage certificates were politicized with quotations printed from Chairman Mao, and the little red book became a popular wedding gift.

Later certificates in the era had Chairman Mao's portrait in the top center of the paper and a couplet reads "Follow the Communist Party, listen to Chairman Mao's words". Above the text is the ultimate message of the Party, "Serve the People". Water reservoirs, high-voltage grids, and modern factory chimneys were printed on the certificates, symbols of the Four Modernizations envisioned by the Party.

1967
 

A marriage certificate during the Cultural Revolution.

1969