Since the marriage was concluded in China since ancient times, it has been the custom for the man to give the bride price and dowry to the woman when a preliminary marriage agreement is reached. This kind of bride price and dowry is commonly known as "bride price". The Zhou Dynasty was an era of etiquette. At that time, a complete set of wedding etiquette was gradually formed. There are detailed provisions in the Book of Rites, which combine the whole set of rituals into "six rituals". The "six rites" marriage system established in the Western Zhou Dynasty and followed by successive generations is the source of the custom of "bride price". The "six gifts" are: receiving gifts, asking names, receiving gifts, inviting parties and welcoming relatives. The "receiving gift money" in the Six Rites is the gift money, which is equivalent to the present "bride price".
In buying and selling marriage, the bride price represents a woman's value, which is directly called the value bride price in some regions and ethnic groups. How much bride price the man's family sends to the woman's family depends on the requirements of the woman's family and the economic situation of the man's family.