People will eventually die, and death is an inevitable topic. When a person passes away, we often see family members or friends covering the deceased's face with a piece of cloth or a piece of paper. Although this practice seems simple, it is an indispensable link, which seems simple but contains profound cultural connotation and historical background. If it is just a superstitious Xi, then it should have been abandoned long ago, why is there such a tradition today?This article will look at the reasons behind this Xi in many ways.
According to historical records, this step originated in the Zhou Dynasty, and the story of Goujian, the king of Yue, is known, "Hard-working people, the sky does not bear, and three thousand Yuejia can swallow Wu". As a loser, the husband thought that due to his own negligence, which led to the destruction of the Wu Kingdom, he had no shame to face his own people, so he asked to cover his face with a cloth after death. As a result, this practice has been passed down for thousands of years. And from a modern point of view, what is the use of covering your face after death?
1. Check whether there is a death.
First of all, in ancient times, due to the lack of advanced equipment and the lack of talented doctors, the level of medical care was low, and most of the people were illiterate. How to tell whether a person is dead or not can only be seen by listening to the heartbeat, touching the breath, and the pulse. However, according to modern medical treatment, some people will have a temporary "suspended animation" phenomenon, and even now there is a shortage of people who have been declared dead, in fact, it is only a short-term cardiac arrest. If you are buried at this time, it is equivalent to being buried alive. Therefore, the face is covered with a cloth, and the family of the deceased can always pay attention to the situation of the deceased during the wake, and can respond in time for treatment.
2. Preserve the dignity of the deceased.
Secondly, the face of the deceased is covered in order to preserve the dignity of the deceased. In the Book of Rites, it is said that "death is the most important, and the dead are greater". In our culture, death is considered a mysterious and solemn thing, and no matter what the person has done in life, once he dies, the face of the deceased should not be exposed at will. By covering the face, the privacy and dignity of the deceased can be preserved, avoiding unnecessary harm and offense to them.
3. Avoid frightening the living.
Covering the face of the deceased can also avoid frightening the living and take care of the feelings of the deceased's family. When a person dies, their face often becomes terrifying as the blood stops circulating after death, which is different from that before death, and makes people feel frightened. By covering the face, this sense of horror can be reduced, preserving what the deceased once looked like in the family's mind, while also reducing the grief and fear of the living.
4. Avoid spreading diseases.
From the perspective of modern technology, many germs will be parasitic on the human body, and when the host dies, these germs will quickly overflow through the host's mouth and other organs, and in some places there is a saying that the living cannot be blown by the last breath of the deceased. Covering the face of the deceased with a white cloth or paper can correspondingly prevent some germs parasitic on the deceased's body from escaping into the air.
5. Follow religious rituals.
In some religions, covering the face of the deceased is also a sign of observance. For example, in Islam, it is believed that the deceased should perform "ghusl", that is, washing all parts of the body before leaving the world. To protect the privacy and dignity of the deceased, a cloth or piece of paper is placed over the face of the deceased.
6. Moral and symbolic meaning.
In addition, covering the face of the deceased has a certain meaning and symbolism. In some cultures, it is believed that the soul of the deceased will remain around their body for a period of time for family and friends to mourn and say goodbye. By covering the face, the soul of the deceased can be protected from external interference and violation, and at the same time, it can also avoid unnecessary communication and contact between the living and the deceased.
7. Historical traditions and cultural inheritance.
Finally, covering the face of the deceased is also an expression of historical traditions and cultural heritage. In ancient times, death was believed to be a mysterious and solemn event that required a series of rituals and memorial activities. During these events, covering the face of the deceased is a common practice to show respect and respect for the deceased. Over time, this Xi has evolved into a cultural tradition and national characteristic, and is now widely inherited and applied.
In short, covering the face of the deceased is a Xi with deep cultural connotations and historical background. It is not only to preserve the dignity and privacy of the deceased and avoid frightening the living, but also to follow religious rituals, allegorical symbols and cultural traditions. Through the transmission and application of this Xi, we can better understand and respect the mysterious and solemn event of death, and at the same time express respect and sorrow for the deceased and their families.