The Spring Festival is one of the important traditional festivals in China, and it is also a time for family reunion. On this festive day, in addition to sumptuous meals and laughter, ancestor worship is also one of the rituals that cannot be ignored. However, the ancients left a wise saying: "If you don't bring three fruits to the grave, you won't cause disaster at home." This is not only a rule of sacrifice, but also contains profound cultural connotations. So, what three fruits can't you bring to the grave during the Spring Festival in 2024? Let's take a closer look.
First, let's look at the first half of this ancient adage: "Go to the grave without three fruits." In traditional Chinese culture, ancestor worship is an important ritual, and people burn incense and go to the grave to express their admiration and longing for their ancestors. And what are the three kinds of fruits that "three fruits" refer to here?
The first, moldy fruit. The ancients paid attention to etiquette, and the items used in the sacrifice must be fresh and clean to show respect for the ancestors. Going to the grave with moldy fruit is not only a disrespect to the ancestors, but also may be considered disrespectful to the gods and cause bad luck.
The second, fruits that are too small. In the sacrificial ceremony, the fruit used for the sacrifice should be dignified and generous, implying the prosperity of the family. Carrying too small fruits to the grave may be seen as a lack of respect for ancestors, or it may be interpreted as a sign of family prosperity and should be avoided.
The third type is the fruit that is not yet ripe. Sacrifices are a way of showing reverence for ancestors, and the fruit used must be fully ripe and represent the prosperity of the family. If you go to the grave with unripe fruit, it may not only be seen as disrespectful to your ancestors, but also as a bad omen for the future of the family.
The non-carrying of these three fruits is actually inheriting an ancient concept of etiquette. In ancient societies, people prayed for the blessing and protection of ancestral spirits by offering sacrifices to their ancestors, so the details of the behavior during the sacrifice were particularly important. Not carrying moldy, small, or unripe fruits is not only a sign of respect for ancestors, but also an expectation for the happiness and well-being of oneself and one's family.
Behind this rule, there is a profound cultural connotation. In traditional Chinese beliefs, ancestors are regarded as the foundation of the family, and their souls still play an important role in the family. Ancestor worship is not only a kind of nostalgia for the deceased loved ones, but also a prayer for the inheritance of family traditions and the future. Therefore, every grass and tree, every move during the sacrifice has a special meaning.
In modern society, people may think that this rule is a bit outdated, but in fact, it reflects a continuation and inheritance of the tradition of respecting the elderly. Respecting ancestors and valuing family is a traditional virtue of Chinese culture and a way to build social harmony. Therefore, even in modern society, such traditional ideas still have their profound value.
Therefore, in the Spring Festival of 2024, when we are preparing to sacrifice our ancestors, we may wish to keep in mind the teachings of our ancestors, choose sacrifices carefully, and avoid bringing moldy, too small, and unripe fruits. This is not only a kind of respect for ancestors, but also a kind of inheritance of traditional culture. While pursuing modern life, we might as well retain some traditional habits to inherit culture, continue the warmth of the family, and create a more harmonious and happy family. In this Spring Festival, let us remember the words of our ancestors, inherit the thousand-year-old wisdom of Chinese culture, and share happiness and warmth.