Talk about your understanding of ancestral hall culture
Let’s talk about the understanding of ancestral hall culture
Let’s talk about the understanding of ancestral hall culture. Everyone is familiar with ancestral halls. Almost every big family has an ancestral hall. The ancestral hall is It is a place where future generations offer sacrifices to their ancestors and mourn their ancestors. It is also a place where the family inherits its fine spirit. Let’s take a look at the understanding of ancestral temple culture. Let’s talk about the understanding of ancestral hall culture 1
Chinese culture is very broad and profound. As a very special culture in China, ancestral halls have written their own colorful strokes on the title page of history. When we watch TV, we will also see some families holding important events. When discussing important family affairs, they will be held in the ancestral hall.
Ancestral halls always give people a solemn and profound impression. However, ancestral halls also have many taboos. Certain rules and regulations have been formulated, and some people are even prohibited from entering the ancestral hall.
Who exactly cannot enter or leave the ancestral hall?
The first is that if children and young people die outside, they cannot enter the ancestral hall, because children and young people have very strong evil spirits and will not be willing to die, so they will Something very ominous follows.
The ancestral hall is a place where people in the family handle weddings, funerals, and birthdays. If these people died normally in their hometown, people from the same clan will help in the ancestral hall when handling the funeral. It is also an ancient tradition of our Chinese nation to arrange a funeral for this person.
Today among us, when a family has a wedding or a private event, the first one to notify is the relatives of the family, because this is an ancient concept deeply rooted in us. Just like family members, even if they rarely interact with each other, if something big happens, they must be informed. Other colleagues and classmates may not be notified. It is not very important.
People of a clan, no matter how busy they are, will come to the house of the person doing things to help. If the relationship between two brothers is not on good terms and they are not ready to communicate with each other, the first thing that will show up on the surface is that there is Never notify this relative of weddings, weddings, weddings, funerals, etc. This is considered as severing all contact.
Children and young people have stronger yin energy, so the ancestral hall is not willing to accept it. There is also a saying that children and young people die outside and do not enter the ancestral hall. Moreover, children and young people die outside the ancestral hall. If a young person dies outside, he must be brought back quickly and buried that night, instead of being buried in the ancestral hall for a few days and holding a grand funeral ceremony like when an old person dies.
Young people and children are buried on the same day. If it is not transported to their hometown on the same day, it will be considered a very unlucky thing. When they are buried, they will be buried. They cannot be buried next to their ancestors' graves, so that the yin energy of children and young people does not interfere with their family's interests.
Also, women in ancient times were not allowed to enter the ancestral hall. The ancestral hall was a place where the patriarchal society exerted its authority. Only men could enter the ancestral hall and carry out various family activities. Women entering and exiting the ancestral hall must not go into the ancestral hall to accept the punishment of their family members unless they have violated clan taboos. For example, if some women with husbands have bad relations with other men and are caught by others, they have to enter the ancestral hall to accept the punishment of their family members. As a punishment from the elders, they were severely tied up in a cage, sunk into the water with the men and drowned, which is also known as "pig cage dipping" as the saying goes.
In addition, the man who married into his wife cannot enter the ancestral hall of his ancestors. What is even more incredible is that even the woman’s ancestral hall cannot be entered. Unless the man changes his surname, he can enter the woman’s ancestral hall. ancestral hall. Imagine a man who has had his own surname for more than 20 years. He changed his surname to his wife's surname when he married into his wife. I believe many people find it difficult to accept this, so they cannot enter the ancestral hall.
Because the ancestral hall represents a family, and a family can only have one surname. This man broke in and entered the woman's house. If he still has his previous surname, people of the opposite sex cannot enter the ancestral hall. They are born A son with the mother's surname can enter the ancestral hall and is equivalent to being a member of the family.
In the ancestral hall culture of our country’s feudal society, the ancestral hall represents the rise and fall of the family. Large families will also find special people to take care of the ancestral hall. If a woman accidentally looks at the ancestral hall door, she will accept it. Punishment, in severe cases, death.
Although the ancestral temple culture is so harsh and rigorous for women, there are always exceptions. In the west of Tangyue Village, Shengshe County, Anhui Province, there is a female ancestral hall exclusively for women. It was built in the Qing Dynasty. It was built in 1805 by Bao Qiyun, a salt merchant in Tangyue Village. The name of this female ancestral hall is "Qingyitang". At that time, this great salt merchant showed mercy to women and in order to commend the women who made contributions to Huizhou merchants, It is said that in the Ming and Qing dynasties, Tangyue Village produced many chaste and virtuous women. They abided by merit, and many famous women who abided by ethics appeared
These beautiful deeds of "Shigu" are the examples set by these women, which have been carved into wax figures and become a beautiful scenery in Tangyue Village. Their tablets have been placed in Qingyi Hall for generations, describing their virtuous and innocent character.
Although ancestral hall culture has become synonymous with ethics in our country, it still contains some feudal dross. In 1927, in Ginguo, Hengshan County, local women were influenced by advanced thoughts and entered ancestral halls in groups. They formed a group and ate wine in the ancestral hall. The family elders in the ancestral hall saw them showing off their authority in the ancestral hall and did not dare to say anything.
These women later bravely carried out the reforms of the new era and liberated themselves. They asked her mother-in-law not to be harsh on her anymore, to break the legacy of feudalism, and to ask husbands not to beat and scold their wives at will. From our current perspective, it is difficult to say whether these women are doing the right thing or not, but they are breaking old customs and establishing new ones. When the system was broken, only by breaking all boats and carrying out reforms bravely can the new society show a new look.
The ancestral temple culture may become a part of our history with its decline, and modern women no longer Bound by the ancestral temple culture, we have gone out of the world and moved towards the future. Let’s talk about the understanding of ancestral hall culture 2
1. What is an ancestral hall?
The ancestral hall is a building where sacrifices are held and a place where we honor our ancestors. Confucius said: A gentleman should stick to his roots, and the Tao will be born from his roots. Being a filial brother is the foundation of benevolence! "It means that only when the roots are deep can the leaves flourish. The ancestral hall waters the roots of the family, the ancestors, and respects the heaven and earth. This is the deepest meaning of the ancestral hall.
2. The emergence of ancestral halls
Before the Song Dynasty, Chinese rituals were continued through the Book of Rites. During the Song Dynasty, due to the long passage of time, many of the continuations of the rituals of the Three Dynasties were no longer suitable for the requirements of that time. So Zhu Xi remade the ritual according to the situation at that time. This is what is mentioned in "Zhu Xi's Family Rites": "In the third generation, the Book of Rites was prepared. However, as it exists today, the system of palace utensils and clothing, and the rules of going in and out of daily life are no longer suitable for the world. Although the gentlemen of the world It may be based on the changes of ancient and modern times, and it may be more temporary.
However, it may be detailed or abbreviated, without compromise. It may leave the foundation and focus on the end, be slow to the reality and eager to write, and have its own ambitions. People who love etiquette may not be able to understand the essentials, and those who are poor may not be able to use etiquette in the end. "This means that as the times change, etiquette should also change with it. Although the Rites of the Three Generations are complete, many verses are no longer suitable for the current era. Although the learned people at that time made appropriate changes according to the etiquette of the three generations and the actual situation, the details were different
There was no compromising plan for popularization, and some even neglected the basics. , or do not pay attention to the inner reality but only pay attention to the external verses. As a result, people who are aspiring to be polite cannot list the key points and follow them. "This is a book that only studies ancient and modern times. Because it is generally immutable, little profit or loss is added to it, and it is regarded as a family book. Generally speaking, respecting one's status and respecting love and respect are the foundation.
When it comes to its implementation, it is slightly pragmatic and pragmatic, and it is attached to Confucius's legacy. I sincerely hope that people who are familiar with it will practice it. The desire to strive for the future can still be seen again, and there may be a small complement to the country's intention of advocating transformation and guiding the people.
”
So Zhuzi read ancient books and followed the general principles to make profits and losses. Generally speaking, the principles of sincerity, respect, loyalty and forgiveness are regarded as the basis of etiquette. In When implemented, it can not only reflect the etiquette but also pay attention to the roots and be pragmatic, so as to achieve the meaning of cultivating the family, being careful about the future, and educating the people.
Three generations ago, common people (ordinary people) had no temples. , and Zhu Zi clearly proposed the "ancestral hall method" at this time. This is the official origin of ancestral halls. From then on, ancestral halls began to officially appear in people's lives, and their significance has continued to influence the heart of "repaying the original and turning against the original." The meaning of respecting the ancestors is the first of the family name, so it is the foundation of business and inheritance." This is the definition given by the inventor Zhu Zi for the ancestral hall.
The ancestral hall is responsible for the function of sacrificial activities. On the New Year's Day At the same time, various important activities of the family, such as the appointment of officials, the birth of the eldest son, etc., must be held in the ancestral hall. Now some friends live in places where there are famous families. , you should still be able to see these folk scenes. Starting from Zhu Zi, ancestral halls have become an important place for Chinese people to respect their ancestors and have a history of nearly a thousand years.
3. Inheriting the ancestral temple system
The ancestral hall method advocated by Zhu Zi is actually a continuation of the ancestral temple system. In the era of the Three Emperors and even further, there were only ancestral temples. "Shang Shu Shun Dian" records: On the first month of the year. On the same day, Shun accepted Emperor Yao's abdication in the ancestral temple. The most important thing in ancient life was the sacrifice of the ancestral temple.
What is an ancestral temple? The ancestral temple is a place for worshiping ancestors. "Book of Rites and Sacrifice" says: "On the right side is the ancestral temple, and on the left is the ancestral temple." In the third generation, the status of the ancestral temple was much greater than that of other buildings. "Book of Rites. Quli" says: "A gentleman will organize his palace, the ancestral temple first, the stables and warehouses second, and the living room last." Under the ancient ritual and music system, the entire society was distinguished by etiquette. What else is inferiority? It is virtue. Those with high virtues naturally have deep roots, so they have different sequences, and their temples also have different systems.
"The King's System" says: The Emperor's seven temples, three Zhao and three Mu, are the same as the Taizu's temple. The five temples of the princes, two Zhao and two Mu, are five with the temple of Taizu. The three temples of the officials, one Zhao and one Mu, are three in number with Taizu's temple. Shiyi temple. The common people sacrificed themselves in bed. During the Three Dynasties, common people were not allowed to build temples to worship their ancestors, and could only offer sacrifices to their ancestors. Moreover, at that time, building temples to offer sacrifices was a very expensive matter and had many rules. Common people can't afford it either. For the emperor and the princes, there will be special registration fields to provide sacrifices.
IV. The role of ancestral halls in Feng Shui
According to investigation, most of the existing ancestral halls are located in the south. The emergence of ancestral halls is well integrated with the prevailing Feng Shui in the south. Zeng Qinghua (Muzhi), Mr. Sanliao Feng Shui, discovered that in the south, people attach great importance to the Feng Shui of ancestral halls. The Feng Shui of ancestral halls has a huge impact on future generations. History has proven that Feng Shui of ancestral halls not only plays an important role in the prosperity of future generations, but also controls Feng Shui. The role of housing.
I believe that ancestral halls are often built in places with the best feng shui in the village. The Hakka people still have the habit of living together as a group, and even build enclosed houses and semi-enclosed structures around the ancestral hall, such as in Fujian The earth buildings and Hakka enclosed houses in Guangdong and Jiangxi regions. In fact, these are all Feng Shui practices.
Ancestral halls often evolved from private houses. Common people’s ancestral houses, because of their good feng shui and large population, must be moved outside for development. Then this ancestral house slowly becomes an ancestral house. The ancestral hall is actually a place where people can live. Due to the strong incense and continuous sacrifices, the ancestral hall evolved into an ancestral hall. The ancestral hall is a place where spiritual tablets are enshrined. Although it is the structure of a Yang house, it is actually the residence of Yin people.
In addition, the ancestral hall occupies the best geomantic omen in the village, which is actually to lock in the dragon energy. If the ancestral house or ancestral hall is demolished and distributed to the descendants, everyone will actually get only part of it. If Everyone is doing their own thing and building their own houses. Wouldn't it be a waste of geomantic omen and would actually lead to disaster?
Finally, the ancestral hall is the residence of human souls. The ancients said: When a leaf falls, it returns to its roots, and it is wise to pursue the future. The ancestral hall is not just an ancient building, but a place where the homesickness of thousands of wanderers is conveyed. No matter where you are and how great your achievements are, when you get old, you still want to return to this homeland, because it is the harbor of our souls! Let’s talk about the understanding of ancestral hall culture 3
Ancestral hall is a place where tribesmen worship their ancestors or sages. It is a ritual building in Chinese vernacular architecture. It is the root of vernacular culture and the symbol and center of the family. It is also a symbol of local economic development level and a representative of folk culture. From the perspective of folklorists, ancestral halls "interpret the civilization of the times in their own way of existence."
As the best-preserved ancient architectural group in China, the ancestral hall has left many precious historical and cultural research values to future generations. The merits and demerits of thousands of years can be seen in the ancestral hall; the genealogy of the Chinese ancestors can be known from the ancestral hall. The origin of ancestral halls. Ancestral halls originated after the gradual disintegration of clan society. They are clan organizations that are unified by blood relatives and geographical organizations that are born from the same ancestor and form a self-contained system. They are independently built outside the living room for worshiping ancestors, honoring the virtuous, and seeking prayers. God's place.
The name of ancestral hall officially appeared in the Han Dynasty. The clan embodies the fundamental principle of feudal patriarchal clan through the function of the ancestral hall to respect ancestors and show the supreme clan power of the clan. The ancestral hall has become a holy place for clan sacrifices, symbolizing the unity of the clan. Of course, some people usually simply understand the ancestral hall as the home of the deceased ancestors, a place where the gods gather, and a place where the ghosts of the ancestors are worshipped.
The main function of the ancestral hall. Since the ancestral hall is a place where the ancestors’ gods gather and worship the ancestors’ gods, worshiping ancestors is the most important function of the ancestral hall. Another important function of the ancestral hall is to collect genealogy and compile genealogy. Compile genealogy. The ancestral hall is also a meeting place for discussing clan affairs, a place for teaching and educating people, and a family court. During customary festivals or major festive events within the clan, the ancestral hall is also a place for celebration or entertainment for the whole clan.
The cultural significance of ancestral halls. Ancestral halls are symbols and signs of family or clan power, economy and culture. In the feudal rule of our country for thousands of years, the national ruling group played a core role, and the clan, regional groups and family blood organizations also played a certain historical role. They played an important role in assisting and supplementing the feudal legal system and maintaining the stability of feudal rule. They also played a long-term social role in the so-called governance of the country, so it is still a kind of auxiliary rule guaranteed by rulers of all ages.