中國乃五千餘年歷史之文明古國，其境內民族像五彩繽紛之花朵，各有其優秀璨爛之文化。聚居於大陸西陲邊域之苗族，擅於利用「服飾」與「歌舞」記載歷史，於其絢爛衣裝背後，蘊含著豐富而獨特之文化。傳統婚姻習俗，為苗別具特色之文化，不反映苗族歷史之社會結構與傳統觀念，亦表在婚姻制度中與漢人之差異。 在婚姻發展歷史過程中，苗族燎隨著人類兩性婚制而演變，並建立起一套成婚規則。青年男女透過自由戀愛，依循古禮辦理訂婚、結婚等儀式，婚後由不落夫家至長住夫家，每一過程皆反映出苗族精神與生活之獨特。是以研究苗族之婚俗，冀能開啟國人嶄新視野，面對異己之文化，能學習尊重，並關懷少數民族之傳統文化，進而欣賞及傳承，以使之源遠流長。

As an ancient civilization with a history of more than 5,000 years, China is characteristic of the diverse and colorful peoples within its boundary. Each of these peoples bears its own magnificent cultural fruit. The Miaos in the west border are skilled are recording history with clothes and song and dance. Behind their bright and eye-dazzling clothes there lies cultural elements with a high degree of goodness and richness. The traditional marriage customs are a cultural element which distinguishes the Miaos from others. Not only do they reflect the social structure and traditional values in Miao history but also show different marriage systems between the Miao and Han peoples. Throughout their developmental process, the Miao mariago customs have evolved and changed by adopting the ever-changing inter-gender relationship. The people, as a result, has established a new set of rules for the union between males and females. Young people are allowed the freedom to choose their lovers and to get engaged and married by following the conventional rites. Interestingly, a married woman who is initially forbidden form staying at her husband’s place will eventually be asked to live the for good. Each of these processes makes visible the distinctive spirit and life of the people. My studying the Miao marriage customs, we expect to create a new horizon of view for people in Taiwan. they, in the face of ethnic cultures, are hoped to respect and care about the traditional cultures of the minorities. Furthermore, they are anticipated to appreciate and preserve these cultures over a long time period.