Title: Why 3 Days, 5 Days, 7 Days: An In-depth Analysis of Chinese Funeral Culture.
In traditional Chinese culture, funeral rites are one of the most important rituals in life. It is not only the last tribute to the dead, but also the comfort and sustenance of the living. In this process, there is a phenomenon that attracts people's attention, and that is that the time of the funeral is usually 3, 5 or 7 days. So, why is there such a rule? What kind of cultural connotation and historical significance does this contain? This article will delve into this issue from the perspective of traditional Chinese culture.
First of all, we need to understand that the length of the funeral is not arbitrary, but has its deep historical and cultural background. In ancient times, it was believed that after death, the soul did not leave the body immediately, but lingered near the body for a period of time. The length of this period of time depends on the behavior and character of the deceased during his lifetime. If the deceased behaves well and is of noble character during his lifetime, then his soul will soon leave the body and enter another world; On the other hand, if the deceased behaved misbehaving and had low moral character during his lifetime, then his soul would linger near the corpse for a long time, and he might even become a demon, bringing disaster to the living. Therefore, in order to ensure that the soul of the deceased can leave smoothly, people will perform a series of rituals and activities to appease the soul of the deceased during the period after the funeral.
Secondly, the length of the funeral time is also related to the ancient Chinese theory of yin and yang and the five elements. In ancient times, it was believed that everything had yin and yang, and life and death were no exception. Between life and death, there is a relationship of mutual transformation. When a person dies, the life force is transformed into another form, and that form is the soul. The existence of the soul requires a certain amount of time to transform and transition. This time is the time of the funeral. According to the theory of the five elements of yin and yang, they are all yang numbers, which represent the vitality and power of life. Therefore, the time of the funeral is set at 3, 5 or 7 days, in line with the theory of the five elements of yin and yang, to help the soul of the deceased complete the transformation and transition.
Thirdly, the length of the funeral time is also related to the ancient Chinese concept of filial piety. In ancient times, filial piety was one of the basic ethical norms of society. It is believed that after the death of a parent, children should do their best to meet their parents' needs in the underworld. And this demand includes the time of the funeral. Generally speaking, the longer the funeral time, the greater the child's filial piety to his parents. Therefore, the time of the funeral is set as 3, 5 or 7 days to reflect the filial piety of the children to their parents.
Finally, the length of the funeral time is also related to the ancient Chinese social system. In ancient times, people lived in a strictly hierarchical society. Each person's status and identity are determined by his profession, wealth, and family. Therefore, the timing of the funeral will also be affected by these factors. Generally speaking, the higher the status and the more honorable the person, the longer the funeral time. This is because they have enough wealth and resources to hold a grand funeral ceremony. This funeral ritual usually lasts 3, 5 or 7 days.
In general, why the funeral lasts for 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days is a question that involves many aspects of traditional Chinese culture, history, philosophy, and social system. It not only reflects the ancient Chinese people's understanding and attitude towards life and death, but also reflects their respect and maintenance of filial piety, the five elements of yin and yang, and social hierarchy. Although these concepts and institutions have changed greatly with the development of the times, the tradition of funeral has been preserved and has become an important part of Chinese culture.
Search Topic Full Time Challenge in December