Why put an iron on the grave after death?

What is filial piety? Wake refers to the time from the death of ancestors to cremation and burial, and the time spent with descendants and lineal blood relatives is also called wake. Filial piety is the period from the burial of ancestors to the third anniversary of their death, also called filial piety. Vigilance after death is a folk custom, just like the ancient bride had to share the lucky money in a sedan chair during the New Year. This is a memorial of the living to their dead relatives.

Because the living people think that although his relatives are dead, his soul remains on earth and has not gone to the underworld (the underworld is our paradise in China, and people will go there after death). The soul is also very attached to its living relatives. It doesn't want to go so far away from the underworld alone, so it will go back to its original home to have a look before going to the underworld.

Living people are afraid that their souls will get lost on their way home, so they will light a lamp and put it next to the dead body (and then explain that ancient people will put the bodies of dead relatives in the living room at home, not the morgue of funeral homes; There is also the problem that ancient people lit oil lamps instead of electric lights. The living are afraid that the lights will go out and the dead relatives will not find their homes, so they sit in the room where the bodies are parked all night to ensure that the street lights are always on. Be vigilant for seven days. The origin of vigil after death.

After death, the body should stay at home for a period of time, which is called "stopping the spirit". At night, I am guarded by my family to show filial piety. Surprise at the First Moment Volume XIII: "Neither daughter-in-law has a wake." Shen Congwen's Border Town 20: "The remaining few people are required to spend the night in front of the coffin."

The wake is basically limited to three days. Some people stay in the mourning shed and mourning hall in the house, and some rent the auditorium of the funeral parlour for vigil. There is also a move to "shelve the Three Dynasties" in suburban counties. In the Book of Rites, "People die for three days to live." I won't live for three days. Filial piety also benefits and declines. Family planning and clothes have become a thing of the past. Relatives from far away can also come. Therefore, the sage made a decision for it and took three days as the ritual system. "So, the three-night wake is not entirely out of superstition, but three days, everything is ready, and relatives and friends from afar can also arrive, which is enough to do human kindness.