What are the taboos for rural funerals?

China has a vast territory and a large population. There are fifty-six fraternal ethnic groups. Not only does one country have its own customs, but also due to different ethnic groups, funeral customs are also different. My bald pen cannot describe them one by one. The answers presented are limited to my personal understanding and answer some "taboos" and "customs" of the rural Han people.

We Chinese have regarded funerals as a major event in the family since ancient times. "Funeral rituals" have begun to take shape in the Zhou Dynasty. After more than two thousand years of development and evolution, a series of large and complicated rituals have been formed. Funerals reflect people's understanding and attitude towards death, and also reflect the psychological characteristics of national culture.

Located in the countryside at the junction of the Yellow River and Fenhe River in southern Shanxi Province (I looked up the map, it should be the Yumenkou Hejin area), the rural funerals here were still very particular more than ten years ago, and had quite an "ancient style" "Style.

(Family members of the deceased crying in the cemetery)

Including the places I mentioned above, the majority of rural areas have the following "taboos" regarding the death of the elderly:

1. Choose "Feng Shui treasure land" and "choose an auspicious burial".

According to Sichuan customs, you should invite "Mr. Yin and Yang". It doesn't cost much. I chose the position of "Ziwu" for the burial of my late father's bones. "Direction", you can use a compass or a mobile phone to determine this.

Yinzhai Feng Shui has been passed down for thousands of years and has a long history. It is especially important in a "void legal world". I hope it will be dealt with seriously and cannot be followed hastily.

(Cemetery located in a certain city)

Second, if the deceased is deceased, it is taboo to "bury him in a hot death"

It should be parked within 12 hours to 72 hours. Proper burial. Of course, this does not apply to special circumstances.

After the death of the deceased, it is not recommended to put it into the "ice coffin" immediately, because the deceased at this time belongs to the "bardo". "In the early stages of the body", some thoughts and consciousness are still there, and rashly putting the body into the ice coffin may easily cause the ancestors to fall into the ice hell and the realm of hungry ghosts.

3. When the ancestors pass away, it is better to "bury them in the grave" as early as possible

My opinion is that we should abide by the local "public order and good customs", that is, the generally accepted "burying in peace". At the same time, we can reduce some costs and energy.

Four , when moving the remains (such as from the hospital to the morgue), you should "shade the sun with an umbrella", and in some places, you should "call the mountain to attract the soul"

The remains or ashes of the ancestors should not be directly transported. When the sun shines, descendants need to hold umbrellas or build tents to provide shade.

"Shouting to the mountain to attract the soul" means that before burial, descendants should shout the ancestor's name and birth date to help the ancestor " The soul returns. "

Five, "warm the pit" in the tomb.

The pit in the tomb must be warm, not cold, and do not be exposed to sunlight, moonlight, or starlight. After digging the tomb, you must Paper money is burned in the cave and can be buried only after it is burned. A shed or a large umbrella should be used to cover the sun, moon and stars.

(Hair ornaments worn by filial women during funerals in rural areas of southern Shanxi) < /p>

Sixth, before the ancestor is buried, no living person’s footprints, handprints, figures, etc. should be left in the grave. If left accidentally, the mark can be smoothed out with paper money before burial.

7. At the burial site, pregnant women, pregnant women, and those with conflicting zodiac signs must stay away. Specifically, those whose zodiac signs are the same as those of the deceased ancestors.

8. After the ancestor is buried, all Don't look back when you return home, lest you see things you shouldn't see, especially those who are weak or have supernatural powers.

9. Be sure to bury your ancestors after returning home. Wash your hands, look in the mirror, and remove dirt.

In rural Sichuan, people break off a few cypress branches from the mountains and put them on the way home. When the white smoke comes out, they step over it to eliminate the smell of the cemetery. (However, you should remember to manage the fire source well, bury it with water or soil after completion, and only leave after confirming that there are no sparks.

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Regarding the question of (funeral) customs, the simple answer is as follows:

Take the rural areas at the junction of the Yellow River and Fen River in southern Shanxi as an example

Their funeral rituals It can be roughly divided into steps such as "small coffin", "announcement of funeral", "coffin sealing", vigil, dropping of incense, memorial service, funeral and burial.

In the past, the entire funeral process was solemn and grand.

We should see that the shadow of culture is immersed in the funeral process. Funerals are not formed independently, but are the product of the interweaving of multiple cultures.

The southern Shanxi area is one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization. It may still retain some funeral ritual culture. For example, during the funeral period, the local "castanets" performance during the "Chong Ling" period was performed. .

Conclusion

Funeral customs vary from place to place. What is the etiquette in your hometown? If you have any different opinions, please give me some advice!

Taboos after the death of rural elderly people:

You cannot say that you are dead. People in their 70s and 80s say "old", and younger people say "gone".

Children cannot have their hair cut within a hundred days, and they can only get a haircut after a hundred days.

You cannot visit each other to pay New Year greetings on the New Year's Day of the first year after your death, otherwise people will be unhappy and feel very unlucky.

In the first year, you cannot post couplets during the New Year. In the second year, you can post blue couplets. After three years, you can post red couplets.

Customs after the death of an old man:

To "point the way" in the shortest possible time, that is, to tie a "roman" in the shape of a horse with straw and put it on top. Put on a coat worn by an old man and go to the intersection outside the gate. The eldest son holds a sorghum orange in his hand and stands on a high stool, facing the southwest. The sorghum orange points to the southwest and shouts: (Dad or mother) "You go to the southwest," shouted three times in a row, and the other children followed suit: "You go to the southwest." Then the eldest son jumped off the stool and knocked the stool to the ground with all his strength. All the children knelt down and kowtowed. Those who helped with the funeral burned the "Roma Son" and the children went home crying. The "guiding the way" ceremony was over. .

On the second day, the married daughter cried all the way home and kowtowed to her mother-in-law, which was called "Thank you, mother-in-law". It was also a "crying road" for her parents, letting the old man walk on the way to the underworld. Got to be smooth.

On the second day, we sent "River Water" three times in the morning, noon and evening, that is, to burn paper and pour soup on the intersection at the head of the village for the Lord of Hell, hoping to make the old man pass. In the evening "horse burning", a paper horse is burned and the old man rides it to the West Heaven Buddha Hall or Lao Mu Hall to report, which is called "Fa Panmao".

On the third day of the funeral and burial, at noon, the old man’s daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law, and niece went to the cemetery to “fry cakes”, which was to heat the tomb so that the old man would not feel cold when he went to his “new home”. Before the funeral, the children have to have the last reunion dinner with the old man in front of the coffin, thus ending the lifelong relationship.

On the third day after burial, the tomb is rounded early in the morning, the tomb is burned for three days at noon, the five-seventh day, the hundredth day, and the death day.

Today’s young people are becoming more and more unfamiliar with these customs.

In rural areas, holding sacrifices is much more particular than in cities. At the funeral site, you are not allowed to joke or wear red or green. Especially the younger generations must abide by this method of sacrifice. Those who come to offer condolences should kneel down and kowtow in return. There are juniors waiting there all the time in front of the coffin. When people come to express their condolences, they kowtow to greet them. Then when others come to pay homage, they have to kneel down on both sides and kowtow to thank them. Now in the city, Nanlai There are many rules for people going north, and they are no longer as strict as before. The rules of funerals also change in etiquette depending on the host.

In fact, after a person dies, no matter how rich the funeral is, the person who has passed away actually doesn’t know it. It is just for the living to watch. How filial our family is. When the old man dies, we do It was so grand, competing with each other, playing the trumpet on the stage, actually I think it is better to raise him well and bury him lightly. Give him better food and warmer clothes while he is alive. It is a kind of enjoyment to spend a million taels when he is dead. Bai Shi didn't know at all that there was no need to be so extravagant. If Hua Shi had such filial piety, he should be allowed to live freely, happily and with dignity while he was alive. This is true filial piety.

As our old man passed away, we were not allowed to eat noodles or vermicelli, saying that eating these things would be closely linked to the deceased and would be bad for the living, as we were afraid of being taken away by the dead.

When eating, plates and bowls should not be stacked. It is said that stacking dishes will lead to constant mourning. There is no scientific basis. It is just to seek good luck. In short, many taboos are based on the hope that family members will not encounter such things. The implication As long as everyone in the family is healthy and happy, everyone can live a long life.

After all, every family’s funeral arrangements are not the same. Every taboo is considered to be better for the living. In today’s society, there are fewer and fewer superstitious things. Now, everyone understands that no matter what other people do, it is always right.

First of all, I am happy to answer your question. In general, rural areas pay special attention to details, whether it is a happy event, the death of an old man, or the birth of a child. For example, if an elderly person dies in the family.

Taboos

First, if an elderly member of the family dies, children and relatives are not allowed to visit after mourning, because others will be taboo.

Secondly, if an elderly person in the family dies, the children are forbidden to wear bright clothes.

Third, you cannot post couplets for three years. You can't get up early during the Chinese New Year.

Customs

First, after the death of an old man, the daughter has to go back to her husband's house to ask for filial piety. Regardless of whether they are elders or children, if they do not speak to each other, they must kowtow.

Secondly, when an old man dies, the grave must be rounded in three days.

Third, tribute must be paid five to seven days, one hundred days, one year, two years, or three years after death. They also have to deliver meals to graves on New Year's Eve every year.

"Leading the sheep" is a way for Gansu people to worship their ancestors. It is the most mysterious ritual among various sacrificial activities.

When the sacrifice begins, music is played, and the children or nephews of the deceased offer a live sheep (the locals believe sheep are clean things), pull them to the coffin, and give the sheep ears, nose, Wine is sprinkled on the tail, hooves and other parts as a memorial. There is a folk saying that sheep are connected to the two realms of yin and yang at this moment. It seems that the sheep at this time are given some kind of divinity. On this occasion, the sheep becomes the attachment of the soul of the deceased, and its actions represent the wishes of the deceased.

It is said that if the old man is satisfied with the person who sacrificed the sheep or walked peacefully and assuredly, the sheep will tremble all over in a short period of time and its hair will become fluffy, indicating that the deceased has approved it. If not, the deacon will catch the sheep, pour some cold water into its ears, and sprinkle cold water on the sheep's back. As soon as the sheep is released, if the sheep trembles greatly on the spot, it is called a big wool tremor. If the sheep is received, the sheep will be accepted by the person being sacrificed. Generally, the order of leading sheep is in order of superiority and inferiority.

The ceremony of "leading the sheep" is solemn, solemn and simple. It not only makes the funeral more secure, but also reveals the filial piety of the children and grandchildren. Therefore, "leading the sheep" is the "highlight" of the funeral. ".

"Leading the sheep" is usually done the day before the deceased is buried, when all the relatives and friends are gathered. The filial son and daughter of the deceased or the natal family will sacrifice sheep to the deceased. When the sheep is led, the filial sons and family members of the deceased will People will gather around the ram in front of the mourning hall and speak the unfinished words of the deceased in their own words. If the sheep moves its ears and shakes its body, it is considered that the deceased has "taken away" the sheep. The selected person presides over the "sheep leading" ceremony.

When the sacrifice begins, the children or nephews of the deceased will offer a live sheep (locals believe sheep are clean things), pull the sheep to the coffin, and give the sheep’s ears, Wine is sprinkled on the nose, tail, hooves and other parts of the sheep as a memorial. There is a folk saying that the sheep at this moment connects the two realms of yin and yang, and the sheep at this time is endowed with a certain degree of divinity.

At this time, the donated living sheep becomes the attachment of the soul of the deceased, and its every move represents the wishes of the deceased.

Folks believe that the sheep represents the soul of the deceased, and the supplicant says some words to reassure the deceased, such as saying that the family, children and grandchildren will be fine, there will be no difficulties in the future, and there is no need to worry, etc.

If the sheep still refuses to be led, the person in charge of "leading the sheep" will catch the sheep, pour some cold water into the sheep's ears, or sprinkle cold water on the sheep's back. If a sheep trembles greatly on the spot, it is called a big wool collar, and the sheep is considered to be accepted by the victim.

This custom has been followed for a long time in Gansu, and this ceremony is called "leading the sheep". The "led sheep" are to be eaten by the guests. It is tradition to celebrate "events", and it is etiquette to eat "feasts". Treating others to "feasts" is to cope with "events", and eating other people's "feasts" is to have others come to eat in case of "events" in the future.

Many times, some "things" have to be passed, and some "feasts" must be eaten. According to the old people's words, this is "the next number".

No one can say in which era the custom of "leading the sheep" originated, but it can play a certain educational and warning role in the traditional ancient principle of "respecting the elderly and being filial". The cultural connotation fully demonstrates that people's affluence and civilization are constantly improving.

In northern Anhui, no matter whose old man dies, we can’t say that so-and-so died. We should say that the old man of so-and-so is old; younger people just say so-and-so is gone. He left so early. Wait, like in our hometown, the funeral is always held on the third day after a person dies, including the same day. During this period of time, a filial son cannot go to other people's homes; he cannot borrow things casually, but must buy them with money, whichever is 30 cents or 20 cents, as long as he means it.

Except for a few pieces of clothes worn by the deceased as souvenirs, they must be burned; the bed where the deceased slept must be soaked in a ditch or pond for a period of time to remove bad luck. We are only burning Wuqi here. When entertaining guests, only five or seven pieces of paper are burned, and the other seven are not burned. The guests who come are usually close relatives, such as married daughters, nieces, and nephews. Others don't need to come. People who come to burn May 7 paper are not allowed to bring gifts, but can only bring food, drinks, paper cannons, etc. After everyone has eaten at noon, they can go to the cemetery in the afternoon and kowtow a few times. Burning anniversary paper is the same as burning May 7th paper. Most people cannot say that this person is dead, but that this person is old. It cannot be touched eight to twelve hours after death, otherwise the deceased will be in great pain. It is said that it is because the soul of the deceased is leaving the body at this time, and it feels like the pain of an old cow peeling off the skin. The slightest touch will cause great pain. After twelve hours of burial, the coffin cannot be buried immediately. It has to stay in the West Room for seven days. This is called the first seven days. On the first seven days, you cannot speak loudly or leave the house at night, because on the first seven days, the deceased will come back for the last time, and you are afraid of disturbing the deceased. After the first seven days, the burial can be carried out, and the incense and wax paper must be burned. Some families have many children and grandchildren, and the offering table must be carried to the cemetery.

After the paper horse is burned in the cemetery, a willow or cypress tree is placed on the grave to rest the soul. The so-called cemetery is actually in the crop field. A bunch of small mounds are connected together, which are the graves of ancestors. Every year during Qingming Festival, Zhongyuan Festival, death anniversary, and Winter Solstice, we have to visit the grave. After burning the paper, we have to take a piece of paper and press it with soil on the grave, otherwise the grave will not be found in a few years. Generally speaking, there is a large scale of visiting graves in the first to third years after death, especially in the third year. After that, just burn some paper every year. Don't touch the person eight to twelve hours after death, otherwise the deceased will be in great pain. It is said that it is because the soul of the deceased is leaving the body at this time, and it feels like the pain of an old cow peeling off the skin. The slightest touch will cause great pain. After twelve hours of burial, the coffin cannot be buried immediately. It has to stay in the West Room for seven days. This is called the first seven days.

On the first seven days, you are not allowed to speak loudly or leave the house at night, because on the first seven days, the deceased will come back for the last time, for fear of disturbing the deceased. After the first seven days, the burial can be carried out, and the incense and wax paper must be burned. Some families have many children and grandchildren, and the offering table must be carried to the cemetery. After the paper horse is burned in the cemetery, a willow or cypress tree is placed on the grave to rest the soul. The so-called cemetery is actually in the crop field. A bunch of small mounds are connected together, which are the graves of ancestors. Every year during the Qingming Festival, Zhongyuan Festival, Death Anniversary, and Winter Solstice, we have to visit the grave. After burning the paper, we have to take a piece of paper and press it with soil on the grave, otherwise it will not happen for a few years.

In rural areas, after the death of an old man, it is taboo for family members to wear Wearing red and wearing green requires observing filial piety for three years. Spring couplets cannot be posted within three years of the Spring Festival. In the first year after the death of the elderly, family members are not allowed to go out to pay New Year greetings. There is also a marriage that can only be held after three years. This is the case here, but it may be more complicated in other places.

By analogy, there are seven Qiqi Festivals in Japan. The time of Huihun Night is from midnight to Hai hour on the first seven days.

1. The first seven soul nights are the first time the deceased returns to the sun to visit his six relatives after his death. The seventh day of the seventh festival is the bardo period of the deceased, and the deceased has not yet had consciousness in the earthly world. Complete eradication, a simple explanation in local dialect, means that the deceased during the Qiqi Festival do not know that they are dead, and they cannot be called ghosts. Therefore, the first thing to note during this Seventh Night of Souls is that the family members of the deceased must remember their ancestors on this day. They must not quarrel over trivial family matters, making the deceased sad and regretful, and nostalgic for the mortal world. Willing to leave.

Second, at midnight on the first seven days of the day, there will be an ox-headed horse-faced ghost, two ghosts, big and small, and four ghost soldiers escorting the soul of the deceased back to his home in the underworld.

On the first seven days, enter the house through windows, chimneys, etc. during the twilight hours; walk out through the door during the twelfth hour. The descendants of the family can place tributes at home on the first seven days. Among the tributes, beef, horse meat and dog meat are prohibited. The richer the better, the meat and vegetables should be mixed with each other. This is to reward the four ghost servants and prevent them from being suppressed and die. who. At the same time, the ancestor's favorite foods can also be placed in the tributes for use on the road.

Third, at the same time, on the first seven days of the Emperor's reign, a bowl of water and a bowl of grains should be placed at the door of Xiaofang's house. The purpose of placing water is to let the ancestors wash away the dust and eliminate the dust. Avoid disasters and travel with peace of mind; the meaning of placing grains is to avoid evil spirits, prevent evil spirits, and ward off evil spirits and exorcise mold. This bowl of water and a bowl of grains can be sprinkled directly at the door the next morning, and the grains can be thrown into a flowing water on the same day. The tributes removed at Haishi on the first seven nights of the year, together with burning paper banknotes and other forms of money worship, can be burned at the crossroads and fasted.

Fourth, among shamans and immortals, ancestors are not allowed to go to the cemetery to offer sacrifices on the first seven days of their lives. The reason is that the ancestor gods of each family temple will officially record the magnetic field of the deceased on this day. , come to inspect, and at the same time, it is also the time when the exhaling evil spirit is looking for a substitute. Therefore, if you go to the cemetery to offer sacrifices on the first seven days, it will make the family temple gods and the deceased greedy for the world of mortals, and wait for sacrifice until death, which will affect your luck in life. People, the other two are prone to collision and exhalation, causing evil spirits. On the first seven days, if it is inconvenient for descendants to place offerings at home, they should also burn paper to offer sacrifices to their ancestors that night.

Fifth, on the first seven Soul Nights, if there are confinement and four-eyed people in the home, they should stay away to avoid bumping into the deceased and all kinds of evil soldiers. For those who died suddenly and unexpectedly, they would often report their dreams and stories to their relatives on the first seven days. If family members dream about it or see it at home, do not be frightened. Ask the deceased calmly and ask for help. He should properly handle the unfinished business and let him go west with peace of mind, the bright road and the road to Yaochi. After the first seven days, the ancestors will climb to the Wangxiang Tower and start the journey to Huangquan Road. Once they leave, they will never return. The question may ask what are the taboos and customs when organizing funerals for the elderly.

As the saying goes, different customs vary within a mile. Our country has a vast territory and numerous ethnic groups, and the funeral customs in various places have their own differences and characteristics.

A Chlorophytum has little knowledge and seldom goes out, so he doesn’t know much about other places. He only knows a little bit about the local funeral culture. Now let's talk about it one by one. If you have different opinions, please give me more advice. Thank you in advance!

Let’s talk about the mourning period first! In layman's terms, the mourning period is the time for mourning. After the death of an old man, the body is usually kept in morgue for three days. If a close relative is out of town and cannot return in time, the body may be kept for a few more days in order to allow him or her to see the old man for the last time. The mourning period is calculated like this: the day of death counts as one day, then, the next day, and the funeral takes place on the third day. There was a lot going on in these three days. On the first day, the family must notify all relatives and friends one by one to burn paper; purchase funeral items; invite chefs from the countryside to host banquets; and so on. The next morning is usually nothing major, just setting up the funeral tent; the chef arrives; if a theater troupe is invited, the theater troupe will also come; the old man's daughter, niece, nephew, nephew and many other relatives and friends have also arrived. In order to make the funeral less hectic on the day of the funeral, most families will cremate the deceased in the afternoon of the next day. After the cremation, it will be almost dark, and the chief deacon will arrange soup pouring.

The funeral will be held on the morning of the third day, or in the cemetery or cemetery. After returning from the burial, the host's family will entertain guests who come to burn paper and express condolences. During the banquet, the filial son will kowtow to everyone to express his gratitude, which is called "a filial son thanking guests"! The funeral is finally over.

The fourth day is the day to burn 57 pieces of paper. Ordinarily, burning May 7th paper should be done during the May 7th period, but because everyone is busy, some of them are working in other places and have to rush back. From this point of view, no matter who was doing the work, they also changed the date in accordance with the situation. In recent years, it seems to have become a convention and everyone does it.

Let’s talk about the taboos! After all, it is a white matter and there are many taboos. Taboos are also called taboos, which are things that cannot be done during the funeral. Just to name a few. Things used for funerals, even a rope two fingers long, cannot be borrowed, but can only be bought, regardless of whose family they belong to, as long as they are not the owner's own. Give me thirty-two cents, you can't use it in vain. During the funeral, dutiful sons and dutiful wives are not allowed to visit the house. They must always stay in front of the funeral. The deacons will arrange for people to do whatever needs to be done. etc.

This may have a lot to do with the customs of each place, and the difference should be huge. As times change, some customs gradually fade or even change.

Let me briefly talk about my local area:

1. Take the Spring Festival couplets as an example. When an old man dies, he will post white couplets in the first year, and reply in the second year. If you post a yellow couplet in the third year, you will post a green couplet. After three years, it will turn into normal red.

2. Many rural areas are buried in the ground. If one of the two elderly couples dies first, he or she cannot enter the ancestral grave. Only when the other spouse dies can they be thrown out and buried together in the ancestral grave.

3. After the old man dies, some of his bedding and clothes will be burned.

4. In order to commemorate the elderly, future generations will choose: the first seven days, one hundred days, the anniversary, Qingming... On these days, they will go to the grave to burn paper money as tribute.

5. On the day when the old man is buried, the owner will prepare an iron bucket, sprinkle plant ash under the bucket, and place a noodle chopper on top of the bucket. Every old man who has been buried will turn over his noodle knife (front and back) when he comes back. When everyone comes back, they will open the iron bucket to see what traces are on the plant ashes. It is said that they can know what their old man has transformed into.

There are many other things that I won’t go into. Some people may say that these are all superstitions, but we Chinese people pay attention to filial piety, and this is our belief. It expresses our deep sorrow for our ancestors.