In ancient Korea, it was considered a great honor to be asked to carve a set of Wedding Ducks. Only a good friend of the Bride’s father who was pure and honorable could be chosen for this important task. Korean people believe that the Carver’s own spirit would enter into the Wedding Ducks while he carved them, blessing the Bride and Groom with good fortune.

As well as being a good friend, it was necessary for the Carver to be rich and in perfect health. It was also required that he be from a good family and have a happy marriage with a good wife. Lastly he needed to have many sons in the Confucian tradition of family strength and continuity.

All these traits were instilled in the Wedding Ducks by their Carver, and were meant to be passed on to the Bride and Groom. As he carves the Wedding Ducks, the Carver will pray for true happiness and good fortune for the Bride and Groom, leading to a future filled with peace, prosperity, and many children.

After the marriage, the Wedding Ducks are placed in the home of the newlyweds where they can be easily seen. If the ducks are facing each other, nose to nose, then the marriage is happy. If the ducks are facing away from each other, tail to tail, then the couple is fighting. If a Korean couple is fighting, then one of them will often point to the Wedding Ducks, reminding them both of their peaceful Wedding, and they will stop fighting.

The female duck has blue and red strings tied around her bill as a reminder to keep silent and always support her husband.