In China's long history, the Qingming Festival is like a bright pearl, inlaid in the picture scroll of the years, carrying a strong family and country sentiment and the concept of filial piety. Every Qingming Festival, no matter the ends of the world, people will try their best to return to their hometowns, go to the quiet place surrounded by green trees - the tombs of their ancestors, and pour out their deep nostalgia and endless sorrow for their ancestors through tomb sweeping, memorial and other activities. However, around the custom of going to the grave during the Qingming Festival, there are many mysterious sayings and taboos among the people, among which the old saying "no spring in the Year of the Dragon will not go to the grave, and the disaster will come to the grave" is particularly concerning. So, what is the cultural meaning behind this ancient proverb, and how should we understand and follow this traditional custom in the face of the upcoming Qingming Festival in 2024?
First of all, we delved into the origin of "no spring and no grave in the Year of the Dragon", and we found that it is rooted in the deep traditional cultural soil of the mainland. In the ancient agrarian society, people observed the laws of nature and concluded that the "no spring year" was a bad omen, and believed that important matters such as holding weddings, building houses, and moving residences in such years might bring misfortune.
However, with the progress of the times and the development of science and technology, it is now clear to us that whether there is a beginning of spring in a year does not determine people's good fortune and misfortune, and the so-called "no spring year" is only a special phenomenon in the compilation of the lunar calendar, and does not have any predictive meaning. Therefore, we should maintain a rational understanding of the view that "there is no spring and no grave in the Year of the Dragon", and we should not be overly superstitious or blindly obedient.
Although there is a lack of scientific support for the saying that "no spring and no tomb will be clear", we must not underestimate the importance and far-reaching significance of going to the grave on the Qingming Festival. As the highlight of the traditional festival of the Chinese nation, the Qingming Festival contains a rich historical and cultural accumulation and a tenacious national spiritual core. On this day, we not only want to express our condolences to our deceased relatives, but also take the opportunity to inherit and carry forward the excellent traditional Chinese culture.
How should we perform the grave ceremony on this special Qingming Festival in 2024? Here are five key takeaways to keep in mind:
1. Ensure that safety is paramount
In the tomb visit activities of Qingming Festival, safety is always the first consideration. In the process of burning paper money and placing sacrifices, it is necessary to strictly abide by the fire prevention rules to ensure that the fire source is effectively controlled. Choose a flat and dry area for worship to prevent accidents caused by complex terrain or slippery ground. At the same time, on the way to and from the cemetery, do not neglect traffic safety and personal safety.
2. Uphold the simplicity of fasting
On the day of the Qingming Festival, in order to reflect the awe and remembrance of the ancestors, the folk custom advocates fasting and abstaining from meat, and wearing plain and dignified clothing. This is a tribute to the ancestors, and it is also the improvement of one's own spiritual realm. Therefore, it is recommended that everyone try to maintain a light diet and stay away from greasy and meaty foods during the days before the tomb sweeping.
3. Respect the spirit of others and maintain order
The cemetery is a place of tranquility for the souls of the deceased, and we should maintain a solemn and silent attitude during this period, and avoid making noise, laughing and scolding and other disrespectful behaviors. At the same time, pay attention to maintaining the clean environment of the cemetery, not littering, and not damaging vegetation. During the worship process, if you encounter other people's tombs, you should keep an appropriate distance, respect the sacrifice items of others, and do not step on or touch them at will.
Fourth, choose the right time and adapt to the time
Choosing the right time to visit the grave is crucial, and it is generally recommended to do it between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the sun is strong. This can not only avoid the inconvenience and safety hazards caused by low temperature or insufficient light, but also meet the requirements of local customs and habits, and do not carry out worship activities during the time period when tomb sweeping is prohibited.
Fifth, carefully arranged, sincere sacrifice
During the ritual sweeping process, it is important to carefully remove the weeds and waste around the cemetery to create a clean and orderly environment for the ancestors. At the same time, the tombstones were repaired in a timely manner, and new soil was added to express the love and respect for the ancestors. In the process of clean-up, attention must be paid to protecting the ecological environment and cultural heritage, and avoid damaging the original style and historical value of the cemetery.
All in all, although the ancient saying that "there is no spring in the Year of the Dragon, there is no scientific basis", as an indispensable part of the treasure house of Chinese culture, the cultural value and spiritual core contained in the Qingming Festival are still worthy of our cherishing and inheritance. In the context of the new era, we should not only inherit and carry forward the excellent traditional Chinese culture through traditional forms such as going to the grave to worship ancestors, but also keep pace with the times, innovate and improve traditional customs according to the actual situation, so as to better adapt to the development needs and trends of modern society. In this day full of remembrance and reflection, let us be full of respect and thoughts for our ancestors, and move forward together into a more civilized and harmonious future!