Since ancient times, the Chinese nation has gradually formed a systematic and complete funeral etiquette. These rigorous ritual norms are a powerful example of the hierarchical social structure of ancient China. In fact, the social connotation of this is much deeper than simple mourning. 
Specifically, as early as the Shang and Zhou dynasties, China's ruling class already had relatively specialized and elaborate funeral procedures. Taking the Zhou Rite Record as an example, the funerals of the nobles were divided into multiple links, from the migration before death to the loud crying in various places, all of which followed an institutionalized arrangement. According to records, the elaborate steps of moving the critically ill to the middle of the house and placing the deceased in a specific position indicate the importance that the aristocratic mind of the time attached to such rituals. 
Coupled with the "funeral" ceremony of dressing up the corpse, it really shows the caution and attention of the nobles at that time in dealing with death. As the times progressed, the details of this liturgical rule became more and more detailed. In China's feudal society, the funeral regulations formulated by scholars and doctors seemed to have become a "funeral code". All aspects, such as the color of mourning clothes and the construction of the funeral venue, follow strict requirements, which are much more complicated than the dots of ordinary people. This contrast between the general public, who are in peace with the earth, and the vastly different ones really shows that the social concept of strict hierarchy is deeply rooted. 
Even in terms of the choice of words, the subtle differences in language between the emperor's "collapse" and the courtier's "薨" also indicate the harshness of the hierarchical consciousness. This ancient red tape is like a mirror, allowing people to see the true face of ancient Chinese society from the mirror of history. The strict etiquette system is a portrayal of this shackle and a testimony to the calm history of this land. 
In ancient Chinese obituary etiquette, "enjoying the year" and "year-round" are two important words used to indicate the lifetime of the ancestors. Although the difference between the two is only one word, the meaning contained in them is very different. "Enjoying the old age" praises the satisfied life of the elderly, while "ending the year" neutrally states the end of life. "Xiang Nian" first appeared on the epitaphs of the Six Dynasties, containing the meaning of "enjoy" and "enjoy", and was related to sacrificial activities. By the Tang Dynasty, it became a fixture in obituaries, referring specifically to those who lived to old age. 
The use of the term "longevity" originally came from the blessing of the elderly, and is now given the meaning of praising the life of the deceased. Specifically, "enjoying old age" is mainly applicable to two types of situations: first, the elderly who are dying at the end of their lives. In Chinese culture, an elderly person who has passed away peacefully over the age of 70 is considered to have completed his or her life, so he or she is known as "Wai Ge" as a tribute to his or her full lifeSecond, people who have made outstanding contributions to the country. In 2021, Mr. Yuan Longping, an academician-level scientist, passed away, and the word "enjoying his life" was also used in the obituary to praise his great achievements in hybrid rice research throughout his life. 
Comparatively speaking, "year-round" gives a more neutral feeling. It was originally intended to mean "full year" and did not involve the evaluation of the deceased, and it was later applied to obituaries. Unlike "enjoying the year", which is reminiscent of "enjoyment", "year-round" simply refers to the end of a life process, and does not contain positive or negative overtones. Specifically, the term "year-round" has a wide range of applications: it can be used for people of all ages, as well as for all walks of life, and it can be used for different ways of dying such as death or accident. 
This term is often used when reporting on the death of an artist, describing this fact in a more objective way. "Year-round" is not as colorful as "enjoying the year", it simply indicates a neutral fact, that is, the end of life. Through the above comparative analysis, it can be seen that the two words "enjoying the year" and "year-round" contain the Chinese's understanding of the essence of life. The praise and respect in "enjoying the old age" originate from the cultural foundation of the Chinese nation advocating longevity and respecting the elderly"All year round" reflects a more objective and realistic attitude. 
The two are used in the obituary, which shows the end of each life course, and also shows the observation and attitude of this ancient nation towards the laws of life. In ancient China, families and officials would publish obituaries to inform relatives, friends, and the public about someone's death. This traditional ritual was once cumbersome and cumbersome, but as the times change, simple forms are replacing those cumbersome procedures. However, in this transformation, the core values and meanings of traditional etiquette are also at risk of being forgotten or ignored. 
Ancient Chinese funeral rites can be described as red tape, and the writing and publication of obituaries is no exception. From format to content, from paper to wording, there is an ancient set of standards that govern it. It would have been a lot of effort to write such a funeral letter, not to mention the heavy procedural, material and labor costs. However, in that era of strict feudal hierarchies, such red tape and cumbersome procedures were regarded as an indispensable part. It is a necessary means of revealing identity and status, and it is also a proper ritual to comfort the deceased and show sorrow. 
With the opening up and development of society, these traditional rituals have gradually become obsolete and cumbersome. For example, the advent of the Internet era has made information disseminated extremely fast, and handwritten letters have become historySimplifying ceremonies and saving money has gradually become the mainstream idea. Coupled with the improvement of people's lives, more ordinary people also participate in funerals, complicated traditional procedures and ancient rituals are gradually replaced by simplicity, and the way obituaries are published is also becoming easier and easier in this change.
However, this simplification and simplification are accompanied by certain risks and costs. The way of obituary and etiquette embodied in traditional obituaries, as well as the understanding of the attitude towards life contained in "enjoying the old age" and "the whole year", are all facing the possibility of being forgotten or ignored by later generations. This will undoubtedly make some historical and cultural connotations weak or missing in the inheritance. Therefore, while changing and renewing, these core values, which are historical accumulations, also need to be inherited and remembered by today's people.
To sum up, the strict funeral rituals in ancient China and the use of terms such as "enjoying the old age" and "year-round" reflect the ancient and deep cultural connotations of this country. They are still being passed down and continued in various ways to this day. Although the external form is constantly adjusting and changing in the evolution of language, the wisdom and spiritual core contained in it are expected to be integrated into new things and transformed into the values and beliefs of contemporary people. New changes such as the replacement of red tape procedures with simplified forms and the emergence of traditional obituaries on electronic platforms all show the vitality of Chinese etiquette culture in the torrent of the times.
These simplifications and improvements have enabled a wider range of ordinary people to join in them, enriching the content in terms of extension. At the same time, the core concept of the traditional obituary is also internalized as the spiritual sustenance of contemporary people. For example, the worship of immortality and the mourning of the deceased are integrated into reflections on the transcendent theme of "the meaning of life". Pioneering and innovating on the basis of stockpiling traditional elements, making these ritual Xi an indispensable part of contemporary civilization. Therefore, in the evolution and renewal of linguistic symbols, the essence and wisdom contained in these ancient rituals are also destined to sublimate and evolve, and continue to shine in the future with a new attitude.
The golden sentence under the subtle difference between "enjoying the old age" and "the whole year" will always warn and remind future generations - whether it is facing life or dealing with rituals and language, the attitude should be pious and cautious, and the details should be attentive.