Before reading this article, I sincerely invite you to click "Follow", which is not only convenient for you to discuss and share, but also brings you a different sense of participation, thank you for your support.
There are no four fruits to go to the grave, and peaches are not placed on the table! What kind of fruit does the ancestor refer to when he says "four fruits"?
In rural areas, a variety of traditional rituals have been passed down from generation to generation.
During these solemn ceremonies, however, there are special forbidden foods, among which pears, grapes, bananas, and peaches are considered inappropriate offerings or banned altogether.
First of all, there are pears and peaches.
These two fruits are rarely seen as offerings in village memorial services.
The reason for this is that pears and peaches are considered to be too round in shape and tend to cause fertility problems in the family, so they are listed as taboos.
Relevant experts pointed out that from the semiotic point of view, the character "pear" is homophonic to "li", while the pronunciation of the Chinese character "peach" is similar to "escape".
As the saying goes: "Welcoming the spring to pick up the nobles", not everything can be called beautiful if it goes smoothly.
"Through" means isolation and other meanings, and from an aesthetic point of view, it also has the meaning of dissipating and retreating, "avoiding evil and dissolving".
In addition to shape, color can also influence the choices of certain farming communities.
Peaches and grapes, because of their bright red color, are seen as overly hot, energetic symbols, and are not quiet and calm enough in sacrificial traditions.
Although these two fruits are loved in everyday life and are rich in nutrients, they are not suitable for ancestors.
Bananas, as a long-shaped fruit, are also shunned in rural areas.
It is believed to be closely related to the health of the offspring of the family, and it is forbidden to put it in the memorial ceremony.
In addition, the letters "banana" come from the words "bane" and "ana", which mean negative connotations such as emphasizing calamity or harsh environment.
Behind these food taboos, there are also countless cultural manifestations and symbols that are worth excavating.
Pears symbolize harmony and the expectation of family lineage, peaches symbolize good fortune and good fortune, bananas symbolize the smooth flow of family fortune, and grapes symbolize family prosperity and abundance.
The existence of these symbolic meanings makes the village memorial activities more culturally rich.
Although the forbidden foods such as pears, grapes, bananas and peaches are restricted to the offerings in the traditional rituals of the village, the cultural embodiment and symbolism behind them cannot be ignored.
These taboos not only demonstrate people's pursuit of blood inheritance and family prosperity, but also highlight the agrarian community's yearning for a stable and stable life.
By understanding and respecting these taboos and the profound meanings behind them, we can better inherit and promote the excellent folk culture, feel the strong feelings in the traditional rituals, and pass it on forever.
"The long bamboo by the grave needs to be moved, and the two things in front of the grave become rich", "two things" are hard to find, and they should be cherished when they meet
A group of reports on rural funeral culture and customs have attracted the attention of a wide range of readers.
The report mentions some interesting and profound rural sayings, which reveal the importance of farmers in the selection of grave sites and vegetation growth, as well as their pursuit of traditional filial piety culture and a beautiful and happy new life.
When exploring rural funeral culture, we have to mention a rather unique and ubiquitous phenomenon on country roads, in sparse fields, or on the edge of cemeteries near manors - "the bamboo at the grave needs to be moved".
This deceptively simple but philosophical statement shows the many factors that people take into account when choosing a suitable place to bury their loved ones.
Bamboo is one of the most important symbols of traditional Chinese culture.
In ancient Chinese mythology, "bamboo" is homophonic with "warrior", which has the meaning of resisting evil forces and keeping oneself safe in people's minds.
People choose the grave in a place where bamboo grows luxuriantly, which is a sign of protection and blessing for their loved ones.
At the same time, another common element in rural funerary culture is "reishi" and "tortoise".
According to traditional Chinese medicine, "Ganoderma lucidum" has the effect of prolonging life and enhancing immunity.
As a symbol of longevity, the "turtle" symbolizes health, longevity and family prosperity.
These two are placed in front of the grave not only to represent the memory and respect of the deceased relatives, but also to reflect the family's expectation that the future generations can have a happy and beautiful life.
Behind these rural sayings lies an important question – how do traditional values fit into modern society?
In fact, in today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, traditional values face many challenges.
Especially with the acceleration of urbanization and the younger generation's pursuit of individuality, some traditional customs are gradually drifting away.
In rural areas, there is still a strong traditional local atmosphere, which is closely related to the farmers' yearning for family, filial piety and a better and happy life.
They value the warmth of their ancestors and loved ones even after they have passed away, and express their deep nostalgia for the deceased through symbols.
For this reason, we might as well reflect on whether we should also maintain spiritual sustenance in the process of pursuing modernity and individuality.
Respecting and perpetuating traditional cultural values not only strengthens our commitment to what we should uphold and cherish in the changing times, but also strengthens social cohesion.
What is revealed behind the rural funeral culture and colloquialisms is that human beings as a group have always carried a common historical memory and emotional bond.
Only by integrating traditional values into the development of modern society can we achieve the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way in the true sense and approach perfection on the road to the future.
Only in this way, in the new era of the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, everyone can feel the power of traditional culture, so as to gain more spiritual sustenance and life satisfaction.
As the old saying goes, "There are three elephants on the grave, and the descendants are rich and noble", what do the three elephants refer to? Is there any basis?
China has a long history and a rich and far-reaching cultural heritage.
Among them, "there are three elephants on the grave" plays an important role in Chinese society, reflecting people's expectations for ancestor worship and family prosperity.
In Chinese culture, the first elephant signifies the close connection between the song of birds and the fragrance of flowers and the environment of the tomb.
According to folklore, birds are extremely spiritual, messengers of heaven and earth.
When songbirds cry among the green mountains and green waters, they bring an atmosphere of auspiciousness and happiness, and convey to us the beautiful vision of our ancestors living in peace and prosperity in our families.
When choosing a suitable location to build a tomb, people often consider whether the natural environment is elegant and pleasant.
The second image is embodied in the symbolic meaning represented by the smoke rising from the tomb.
The green smoke referred to here can be extended to a variety of meanings – in addition to a positive interpretation (e.g., a sign of good weather and abundant harvests), it also implies that the souls of the ancestors are revered and worshiped by the state and future generations.
Traditionally, people burn incense and paper to worship their ancestors, producing swirling smoke to show respect for the souls of their loved ones in the past.
This symbolism is not only an expression of faith, but also an expectation of the continuation and development prospects of the family.
The third symbol in Chinese culture emphasizes the auspicious signs and blessings that animals bring around their graves.
According to ancient records, the presence of small animals (such as rabbits and squirrels) in the vicinity of a suitable burial site is often considered a good omen and a sign of good fortune such as fertile land and prosperity for future generations.
In addition, in agrarian societies, the "ox" is also regarded as one of the lucky symbols, and its strength and endurance can promote a good harvest in the field and help people accumulate wealth.
"There are three elephants on the grave" embodies the wisdom and traditional values of Chinese culture.
This ancient and far-reaching custom not only represents respect and reverence for ancestors, but also reflects people's expectation of prosperity and prosperity for the family.
By inheriting these beliefs and values, we can continue to feel the charm of Chinese culture in our daily lives.
In today's social context, the meaning of "three elephants on the grave" is gradually evolving.
With the acceleration of urbanization and the scarcity of land resources, more and more people choose cremation instead of burial, and at the same time, economic development has also led to the rise of related industries such as cemetery environmental protection and beautification.
Although times are changing, no matter what, the core spirit of "three elephants on the grave" still exists in Chinese society.
It reminds us to value history, to respect our predecessors, to care for future generations, and to reflect on the impact of our actions on our surroundings.
Only by combining this traditional cultural wisdom with practical needs, and strengthening the excavation and expansion of its connotation, can "Three Elephants on the Grave" glow with the profound significance that it should have in the new era.
Because of this, the ancient motto "There Are Three Elephants on the Grave" has always been a thought-provoking theme that deserves to be promoted and advocated.
Not only does it have cultural value, but it also offers us a way to face nature, respect traditions, and pursue happiness.
As Chinese people, we should inherit and carry forward this ancient and unique concept, reinterpret its connotation in modern society, and integrate it into the lives of each of us.
At a time when globalization is deepening, "Three Elephants on the Grave" can also become a window for transnational communication and understanding.
By sharing this traditional practice and the wisdom behind it, we can raise awareness of mutual respect and common development among nations, and promote the deeper exploration and recognition of the diversity and inclusiveness of civilizations. The article was only published in Toutiao, and other platforms are fakes
"There are three elephants on the grave" – a simple but philosophical and emotionally powerful adage that not only reflects the admiration of ancestors and the prosperity of the family in Chinese culture.
It is also a great symbol that has a long history, has influenced and continues to evolve its historical heritage and spiritual core.
Let us preserve and pass on this precious heritage, and shine our own unique and intelligent light in the new era.
The picture comes from the Internet, invaded and deleted.