Ancient funeral rites contain profound historical and cultural connotations, especially royal funerals, which are both sacred and mysterious. Recent archaeological discoveries have revealed that the remains of the concubines in some royal tombs showed unusual deaths, and jade artifacts were placed in the anus, which has aroused in-depth attention and discussion in the academic community. What is the symbolism of this puzzling ritual? In this article, we will elaborate on the origins of this unique funeral custom, its implications, and the cultural context in which it is located, and lead you to uncover the mystery of ancient funeral customs.
Differences between royal funerals and commoner funeralsClassical funeral customs are significantly influenced by regional and social roles, and as mentioned in this article, royal funerals are very different from folk funerals. The royal funeral ceremony pursued magnificence and solemnity, and the construction of the mausoleum was started as early as the emperor's lifetime; Folk funerals are simple and rustic. In royal funerals, the richness of funeral gifts is often used as a symbol of filial piety and status; The common people also mourned the death of their loved ones, although the scale and complexity were far less than that of the royal family, but it also reflected the remembrance and respect for the dead.
The custom of "nine tricks stuffing" was extremely popular in ancient funeral culture, covering both the royal family and the common people. This custom originated from the unique understanding and reverence of the ancients for the body, especially the nine orifices, as the entrance and exit of the soul. When the deceased passes away, in order to protect his soul, the nine orifices need to be sealed and blocked, so that he can leave the world peacefully and away from troubles.
The nine-hole stuffing process is not a simple closed ritual, but contains a profound symbolic meaning behind it. First of all, this move symbolizes the respect and protection of the deceased, and shows the respect of the ancients for death. Secondly, the Nine Orifices Stuffing also indicates the immortality and immortality of the deceased, hoping that they will be at eternal peace in the underworld. Finally, the ritual carries a yearning for purity and sacredness, in the hope that the deceased will be purified and sublimated in this life.
The relationship between social status and the nine tricks of stuffingThe differences in social classes in ancient times can be seen in the ritual of filling in the nine holes. The burial period for the high-ranking people is longer, and the jade decoration filled with the nine orifices is more delicate and luxurious. For example, the things used by the emperor and his funeral concubines are of extremely high grade; On the contrary, the common people can only use slightly inferior materials. This color is not only a symbol of dignity and inferiority, but also a reflection of the class division and power structure of ancient society.
Although the ancient Nine Tricks Stuffing was highly regarded, it still causes a lot of controversy in contemporary society. Some argue that this practice is cruel and contrary to the spirit of humanitarianism and violates the dignity of human remains; However, some people see it as the ancient people's way of respecting and interpreting death. Therefore, the discussion of what is meant by the filling of the nine holes is still one of the hot topics in the field of historiography.
The association between filial piety and the nine tricks of stuffingIn ancient societies, honoring elders was the noblest moral quality, and relatives and friends would participate in funerals to show their deep affection and mourning. Many people will go all out to organize the funeral, not hesitating to sacrifice their wealth and rights. As an important part of the funeral ceremony, the nine tricks are filled, which is a form of connotation of filial piety, and people hope to maintain and respect the soul and dignity of their deceased relatives.
Cognition and reflection on death in modern societyAs society continues to progress and evolve, so does people's understanding of death. Nowadays, the dignity and freedom of the individual are increasingly concerned, and traditional funeral rites are being questioned and innovated. Nevertheless, as an important part of ancient civilization, the Nine Tricks Stuffing should still be respected after our careful consideration, in which we can get a glimpse of the ancients' admiration and fear for the end of life, and at the same time, we can also gain insight into the beliefs and values of ancient society.