Qingming FestivalAs a grand ancestor worship festival, tomb sweeping andSacrificeOfferings are one of the most important traditional practices. However, there are different views on the issue of dealing with grave offerings. Some people believe that offerings are "starved to death", i.e. offerings cannot be taken home to eat, but should be thrown away at the grave to be keptSacrificeof dignity and purity. However, I think this view is biased and discusses the importance of handling and saving grave offerings from multiple perspectives.
Qingming FestivalIt originated from ancient emperors and generals".Sacrifice"The gift was later withWinter Food Festivalcombined, it gradually evolved into a comprehensive festival, including:Shangsi FestivalwithWinter Food Festivalcustoms. Among them, activities such as tomb sweeping and outing have becomeQingming Festivalimportant components. SinceQin Shi HuangThe custom of "worshipping the broom" that prevailed in the Tang Dynasty has been passed down to this day. However, inSacrificeIn the process, offerings become an indispensable element.
Grave sweeping offerings to ancestors have always been regarded as offeringsSacrificeAn important part of the ceremony. Among them, "grave offerings" refer to the food and drink offered to the grave. In different places, there are differences in the way in which grave offerings are handled, mainly around whether they can be taken home and eaten. It is worth mentioning that this traditional custom is practiced in modern timesSocialfaced with different views and attitudes.
"Death of starvation and not eating grave offerings" is a concept that has been handed down in the past, meaning offeringsSacrificeIt should not be taken home to eat, and should be left at the grave for insects and ants to eat. This statement arguesSacrificeOfferings after the ceremony are susceptible to bad smells, unclean, and may be contaminated, so they should not be ingested as food. However, I think there is a certain bias in this view.
InlifeIn the lower years, many people survived the famine by eating offerings from the graves, and did not think much about the quality and cleanliness of the offerings. At that time, as long as there was something to eat, people didn't care much about whether the offerings came from the grave or not. And now, withlifeWith the improvement of the level, people pay more attention to the bodyHealthand the hygienic condition of food.
The answer to the question is yes. However, there are some prerequisites to be aware of. In my personal memory,Qingming FestivalSacrificeOfferings are usually taken home and are more suitable for small children to eat, which is believed to be an ancestral blessing to the childHealthA way to grow. Of course, this expectation is more in the minds of the older generation, but it also shows the viability of grave offerings in terms of home consumption.
1.For in the wildSacrifice, the offerings may be contaminated with some (e.g. dust), especially if some containMeat foodof offerings. These foods should be thrown away to avoid indigestion.
SacrificeAfter that, some raw and cold foods cannot be eaten directly and need to be heated thoroughly. The climate is changeable in spring, and some unclean or too raw and cold foods may be caused by direct consumptionGastrointestinalDiscomfort and even diarrhea.
3.It is important to note that the offerings should beSacrificeIt can only be eaten after it is completely finished, not inSacrificeprocess. InSacrificeEating offerings during the process is disrespectful to the ancestors.
When discussing the proper handling of grave offerings, the main categories are noneSacrificeOfferings before andSacrificeThere are two cases of offerings after the end. Here we focus mainly on the latter, ieSacrificeWhat to do with the offerings after you have finished them.
Some people choose to place their offerings directly at the grave, while others choose to take them home. Personally, I prefer the latter approach. From the point of view of frugality, taking the offerings home is more in line with the spirit of thrift. While these offerings are not of much value, they are educational. ModernSociallifeThe conditions are excellent, but people can't forget about usSacrificeIn addition to expressing filial piety to the deceased, we also hope that our ancestors can protect uslifeIt's getting better and better. Being thrifty is one of the most important things, and throwing away grave offerings goes against this philosophy.
InQingming FestivalSacrificeDuring the process, there are various opinions on how to dispose of grave offerings. However, we should proceed from reality and judge whether it is suitable to eat according to the condition of the offering. Whether left at the grave or taken home, we should respect tradition, treat it rationally, and pay attention to the principle of frugality. Only then can we truly understandQingming FestivalThe meaning of constantly absorbing new knowledge in traditional culture, communicating with others, sharing, and constantly enriching our vision and heart.