Friendship and courting
Vasians tend to be romantics, and subtly so. Gifts of plants and flowers in the beginning are expected of any relationship, platonic or romantic, to display one’s intentions to the object of their affection. Typically this is only done after meeting at least once or twice, to show whether they intend friendship, partnership, love, or even declare someone an enemy, though prospective arranged marriages may do this even before then.
Public displays of affection are both inappropriate and not. While hand-holding on the street is fine, a simple kiss is not unless it is in greeting or parting. However, in certain areas, it is expected and even encouraged to show love, and it’s not uncommon to see groups of people cuddling or snogging in parks or gardens.
Serious partners will often give hand-crafted gifts. The thought and labor put into the work, whether physical art, music, or poetry, is a strong symbol of love. To give someone something made just for them in a romantic context is not to be taken lightly.
The courting period, in general, lasts between six months and two years.
Public displays of affection are both inappropriate and not. While hand-holding on the street is fine, a simple kiss is not unless it is in greeting or parting. However, in certain areas, it is expected and even encouraged to show love, and it’s not uncommon to see groups of people cuddling or snogging in parks or gardens.
Serious partners will often give hand-crafted gifts. The thought and labor put into the work, whether physical art, music, or poetry, is a strong symbol of love. To give someone something made just for them in a romantic context is not to be taken lightly.
The courting period, in general, lasts between six months and two years.
The Importance of Flowers
What different flowers are used for and their meanings in the culture
Marriage Ceremony
Ceremonies in Vaso are often lively events, with attendees wearing the brightest of clothes. The marriage ceremony itself is simple. Those to be married wear plain white clothing, and speak their vows in public to a shrine of whatever god they follow(most often the creator). After, they exchange pendants(similar to our world’s rings), and guests will then throw dye onto the now married group to change their white clothes to vividly colored ones. It is said that the colors that most land on the partners will determine the quality of marriage. Purple, in general, is the luckiest due to the rarity and cost of the dye.
The dye throwing wasn’t always a custom, though. The exact time it started isn’t known, but it is thought to have originated when an overly excited guest spilled wine on a new royal couple in their excitement. Rather than being rightfully angry at their ruined clothes, the couple just accepted it as it was, and it caught on over time. Since this has been going on for centuries, it is apparently fun.
The dye throwing wasn’t always a custom, though. The exact time it started isn’t known, but it is thought to have originated when an overly excited guest spilled wine on a new royal couple in their excitement. Rather than being rightfully angry at their ruined clothes, the couple just accepted it as it was, and it caught on over time. Since this has been going on for centuries, it is apparently fun.
The Marriage and Life in it
Marriage is more loose than in other countries, but is taken just as seriously. Polyamorous marriages are legal and not uncommon, as well as open marriages so long as all members are knowing and consenting. Cheating is easily grounds for divorce. Marriage gives partners benefits such as lower taxes, and gives the partners the ability to buy larger houses.
-Because Vaso is a matriarchy, and their god is female, family names are passed down from the woman’s side in hetero relationships. In same sex marriages, or poly marriages with more than one woman, it’s up to each group as to what family name they will take.
-Because Vaso is a matriarchy, and their god is female, family names are passed down from the woman’s side in hetero relationships. In same sex marriages, or poly marriages with more than one woman, it’s up to each group as to what family name they will take.
Sexual Orientation and Gender
People of all sexualities are welcome in Vaso. As same sex relationships are seen in nature, Vasians have no problems with it in humans either, nor are there problems with asexual people(though they may get a questioning side-eye).
Gender, too, is seen as something more fluid, but is more difficultly defined to them than orientation is. While being born as a different gender than what you were assigned at birth isn’t exactly taboo or something that will bring you disabling prejudice, it is still unusual. However, people outside the gender spectrum, or ‘non-binaries’, are welcomed as a sort of demi-spirit once recognized, as they fit just outside of what would be considered ‘human’. Nonbinaries have no difficulties in life due to their gender, but are often seen as an ‘other’ in society, like fairies.
-Transgendered people have few options for transitioning, but they are capable of a full transition into their correct sex, even biologically.
--By using a variety of a native Vasian creature, Vaso is supplied with a slightly magic-influenced hormone therapy. The creatures used are often dangerous and costly to train, so the costs of transitioning medications are also.
--Artificial means of transition, such as binders or ‘packers’, are still available.
Gender, too, is seen as something more fluid, but is more difficultly defined to them than orientation is. While being born as a different gender than what you were assigned at birth isn’t exactly taboo or something that will bring you disabling prejudice, it is still unusual. However, people outside the gender spectrum, or ‘non-binaries’, are welcomed as a sort of demi-spirit once recognized, as they fit just outside of what would be considered ‘human’. Nonbinaries have no difficulties in life due to their gender, but are often seen as an ‘other’ in society, like fairies.
-Transgendered people have few options for transitioning, but they are capable of a full transition into their correct sex, even biologically.
--By using a variety of a native Vasian creature, Vaso is supplied with a slightly magic-influenced hormone therapy. The creatures used are often dangerous and costly to train, so the costs of transitioning medications are also.
--Artificial means of transition, such as binders or ‘packers’, are still available.
Views on Sexuality
Sex in Vaso is just another part to a relationship, though not always a romantic one. There is an expectation of trust between sexual partners, so ‘one-night stands’ are uncommon and frowned upon, but ultimately, it is the choice of the people. Sexual relationships are permitted between partners and friends, but family is off limits(thankfully).
Vasians are rarely prudish, though each is still an individual. However, as sexual education is taught earlier in life and in-depth, it tends to be as just another subject. Northern cities, though, are often more reserved than southern. This is probably due to northerners having to wear more clothes because of the weather, and so wearing less is unusual/weird(to use a more blunt term).
While various forms of sex are permitted at puberty(oral, manual, etc.), actual intercourse(PiV) is illegal until age 17 to prevent child pregnancy.(the preferred age is 20, but 17 is considered near fully grown, and there is less risk of complications than at younger ages if pregnancy were to happen). Vaso still has different forms of birth control that can be gotten without prescription at appropriate shops and pharmacies.
There is no taboo against premarital sex. In fact, it is encouraged. The sexual part of a relationship is considered as important as other factors, and being incompatible sexually can make or break a relationship, so finding out whether or not two or more people will work in this aspect is expected so that incompatible people aren’t legally bound by marriage.(or they’ll at least know what they’re getting into and can find solutions should they still decide to marry)
Having children out of wedlock, however, is still frowned upon.
Vasians are rarely prudish, though each is still an individual. However, as sexual education is taught earlier in life and in-depth, it tends to be as just another subject. Northern cities, though, are often more reserved than southern. This is probably due to northerners having to wear more clothes because of the weather, and so wearing less is unusual/weird(to use a more blunt term).
While various forms of sex are permitted at puberty(oral, manual, etc.), actual intercourse(PiV) is illegal until age 17 to prevent child pregnancy.(the preferred age is 20, but 17 is considered near fully grown, and there is less risk of complications than at younger ages if pregnancy were to happen). Vaso still has different forms of birth control that can be gotten without prescription at appropriate shops and pharmacies.
There is no taboo against premarital sex. In fact, it is encouraged. The sexual part of a relationship is considered as important as other factors, and being incompatible sexually can make or break a relationship, so finding out whether or not two or more people will work in this aspect is expected so that incompatible people aren’t legally bound by marriage.(or they’ll at least know what they’re getting into and can find solutions should they still decide to marry)
Having children out of wedlock, however, is still frowned upon.