In ancient times, there was an unwritten rule, that is, to worship ancestors, which generally only lasted for three generations. The root of this habit lies in the intimacy of blood and the depth of emotion. Normally, people are closest to their parents and grandparents, and this family relationship is the most direct and deep.
In life, we can often see that parents are strict with their children, but when it comes to grandparents, they often pamper their grandchildren, and even are willing to shield their children from the wind and rain when they make mistakes. This kind of intergenerational favor makes the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren particularly deep.
Therefore, it is reasonable for grandchildren to go back and sweep the graves of these elders who love them deeply. But if you go back to a much older ancestor, such as your great-grandparents, it's a different story. In the past, people generally lived shorter, and it was extremely rare for four generations to live together, let alone five generations to live together. Therefore, for those ancestors whom they have never met, there is naturally a lack of direct emotional connection with the descendants.
In addition, asking future generations to continue to pay homage to their ancestors is bound to place a heavy burden on people. Over time, such demands are not only unsustainable, but can also make what should be positive filial piety become heavy and tedious.
Therefore, the custom of "sweeping the tomb for only three generations" takes into account both the truth of emotions and the actual possibility. In those families with rich family backgrounds, although they no longer worship the graves of their distant ancestors themselves, they will place the tablets of their ancestors in the ancestral hall to continue to pay homage to their ancestors. This is not only a kind of remembrance of the ancestors, but also a symbol of the continuity and dignity of the family.
In today's life, each family has its own place, and the scene of a large family living together has become rare. But what is hidden deep in our hearts is the persistence and inheritance of filial piety.
If you really want to say it, once you die, you may not be aware of everything in this world. The sacrifices we make are more of a consolation for our own souls and a kind of remembrance for our deceased relatives.
Therefore, instead of waiting until someone dies to regret it, it is better to take advantage of the days when you can still be with you to have more company. The older generation is getting older, and we should cherish every moment we spend with them, so that we will not have too many regrets in our hearts when we look back in the future.
As for the saying that "it is not time to go to the grave", it is actually part of the philosophy of life of the ancients. The ancients attached great importance to the morning time, believing that "the plan of the day lies in the morning", emphasizing the precious time of grasping the early morning. The so-called "untimed" refers to between 1 and 3 p.m., and the ancients believed that tomb sweeping should be completed before that, not only out of respect for their ancestors, but also because the morning sun and fresh air can make people feel refreshed.
Such a custom not only reflects the respect for the deceased, but also implies the hope that the living can be protected by their ancestors in the new day, so that everything will go smoothly and all wishes will come true.
In ancient times, people had a saying, "It is only three generations to sweep the tomb, but it is not the time to go to the grave", which contains not only the grasp of time, but also the respect for the laws of nature. Legend has it that in the afternoon the yin air begins to pick up, and it is believed that "unclean" things will wander around at this time. Therefore, in order to avoid worshipping the ancestors in such an unlucky atmosphere, everyone chooses to complete the tomb sweeping in the early morning.
Although there is superstition behind this, it is more of a respect and awe for the ancestors. The ancients attached great importance to filial piety, believing that filial piety is the nature of human beings and the cornerstone of maintaining social harmony. If a person is not filial to his parents, it will be difficult for him to gain the respect and trust of others.
In ancient times, the importance of filial piety was not limited to the family, but even affected officialdom and politics. Unfilial people were often seen as disloyal, which was a serious stigma at the time.
In the blink of an eye, although many traditional rules have been diluted, the spirit of filial piety is still deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Although modern people no longer need complicated etiquette to express filial piety, basic care and respect are indispensable. Nowadays, although the distance between us and our parents may be further away due to work and life, maintaining communication and visiting us often is still an important way to express filial piety.
In short, what has not changed throughout the ages is the love and respect for our family, whether it is through the rituals of sacrifice or the small details of daily life, which are the bonds that connect us to our ancestors and elders.
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