What are the three categories of people who cannot go to the grave? How should the emphasis on going to the grave be understood?
Ancestor worship is an important custom in China and continues to this day. When worshipping ancestors, the folk generally believe that "if you don't sweep the tomb, your descendants will prosper" is an ancient proverb. These words are simple, but the cultural meaning in them is very deep, and people can't help but ponder: who is not allowed to sweep the grave? What exactly is the purpose of tomb sweeping? Let's find out.
1. Pregnant women do not sweep graves.
Pregnant women are the main agents of human existence and the main bearers of human life in the future. In ancient times, it was generally believed that a pregnant woman was pregnant and had a living thing hidden in her body, so it was amazing and magical. Women are often forbidden to attend funerals, graves, and other unlucky events during pregnancy to ensure the safety of mothers and children.
Grave sweeping is often carried out with sadness and sorrow, which has a great impact on the physical and mental health of pregnant women, and can also cause bad results in severe cases. Therefore, in ancient times, it was generally believed that women could not participate in sacrificial ceremonies to protect the health of mothers and babies. This is also one of the three non-burials.
2. Children do not go to cemeteries.
Children are innocent and lovable, they often don't know about death and funerals, and they are easily frightened. In ancient times, it was believed that children's hearts were pure and flawless, and that they should be freed from earthly troubles and sorrows, so that their hearts could be pure and free from the suffering of troubles.
Moreover, children have a fragile constitution and low immunity, and are likely to get sick due to external factors. Therefore, in traditional customs, children are not allowed to participate in tomb sweeping. This is also the second of the three people who do not sweep the grave.
3. The elderly are not allowed to enter the tomb.
A senior elder is an older person in a family with a higher status. Respecting the elderly is a fine tradition in China. Those elders who are older shoulder the glory and responsibility of the whole family, the pillar of a family, the symbol of a family, and the glory and continuation of a family. Therefore, when sweeping the tomb, the elders will not let the elders participate, and they will let the juniors do it for them. This is also done to respect the health and status of the elderly, so that they can live a peaceful and comfortable life in their old age.
Grave sweeping customs. Tomb sweeping is a major ancestor worship ritual that contains a lot of rituals. First of all, the date of tomb sweeping is usually on special days such as traditional Qingming and cold food, and the family goes to worship their ancestors together. Secondly, when sweeping the tomb, one should pray to the ancestors in order, burn incense, drink alcohol, offer sacrifices, and recite the sacrificial texts reverently to show respect and remembrance to the ancestors. Third, after the tomb sweeping, the family will gather together to share the prosperity and misfortune of the family, pray to the ancestors, and bless their children and grandchildren.
In addition, when sweeping the tomb, we should also pay attention to proper behavior, be cautious in speech, and not make loud noises or disputes, otherwise it will affect the solemn atmosphere of worshipping ancestors. In this process, it is necessary to strengthen the safety protection of vehicles to prevent accidents.