In this fast-paced modern society, who remembers the old saying "If you don't bring four fruits to the grave, you won't have disasters in your home"? Well, I have to admit that in the mind of me, a self-proclaimed fanatical fan of traditional Chinese culture, this sentence is also fresh. But that didn't stop me from digging deeper, because it's always fun to explore the stories and meanings behind these ancient customs.
Having said that, when I first heard the importance of "without four fruits" at the family's Qingming Festival preparatory meeting, I was really surprised and delighted. To my astonishment, I didn't know about this custom; Happily, this has provided me with another opportunity to learn more about and spread Chinese culture.
First of all, I have to explain that the so-called "four fruits" do not refer to the four specific fruits, but to the four types of fruits that should be avoided in the ritual. The reason behind this is not only superstition, but also a deep respect for life, nature and family.
Taboos for multi-seeded fruits.
In Chinese culture, multi-seeded fruits such as pomegranates and watermelons are often seen as symbols of prosperity and prosperity, representing the continuation of many children and grandchildren. However, did you know that these fruits are not recommended at the time of the sacrifice? The older generation says that this is because for our relatives who have left us, the prosperity and wealth of this world have nothing to do with them. To put it simply, it is a kind of respect for the deceased, and it is also a reverence for the natural laws of life.
Homophonic unlucky fruit.
Let's talk about the fruits that are avoided because of their homophony. For example, the homonyms of pear (detachment) and peach (escape) imply separation and escape, respectively. The avoidance of these fruits in rituals is in the hope that family members will be reunited and happy and harmonious. This kind of exquisiteness not only has its cultural depth, but also reflects people's good wishes for family harmony.
Bunches of fruit are taboo.
Bunches of fruits such as grapes and lychees are also not recommended in the festival. Elders say that this is because their form suggests that family members may die one after another, which is naturally something that every family does not want to see. Although this may sound a bit superstitious, behind this taboo is the wish for the safety of the lives of family members and the cherishing of family happiness.
Fruits that the deceased did not like during his lifetime.
Finally, of course, there is also the rule that when preparing sacrificial offerings, you should avoid bringing fruits that the deceased did not like during his lifetime. This is probably the easiest to understand and accept. It embodies respect for the personal preferences of the deceased, and this respect for personal choices is very important, both during life and after death.
When I started to share this knowledge with the people around me, I found that even those who were not usually very interested in traditional culture were attracted to these stories and exquisiteness. This is not only because of the peculiarity and fun of these customs themselves, but more importantly, they touch our thoughts and respect for our family and loved ones.
In modern society, although our lifestyles and values have changed dramatically, these traditional customs still have their relevance. They are not only a commemoration of the past, but also a kind of respect and inheritance for life, nature and family.
Through education at home and at school, we can educate the younger generation about the meaning behind these traditions, so that they can learn to respect and pass them on. At the same time, we can also innovate and adapt these customs on the basis of preserving the spirit of tradition, so that they can be more in line with the lifestyle of modern society.