Tomb-sweeping tomb-sweeping to worship ancestors in Qingming Festival, folklore expert Liao Dayi reminded the public to finish sweeping tombs before 3 p.m.

(Photo by reporter Zhang Xiesheng)

[Reporter Zhang Xiesheng/Report from Nantou] The Qingming holiday is coming, and people are returning to their hometowns to pay respects to their ancestors. What are the taboos about tomb-sweeping?

Folklore expert Liao Dayi said that apart from sweeping tombs, which should be completed before 3 p.m. at the latest, and sick people, pregnant women and young children are not suitable for sweeping tombs, there is one taboo that must never be violated, that is, when sweeping tombs and offering sacrifices to ancestors, you must hold your ancestors in your arms. Sincerely remember your feelings, and don’t criticize your ancestors, especially commenting on the graves of other people’s ancestors, because this is disrespectful to the ancestors, which may cause bad aura and unnecessary troubles.

Liao Dayi said that during the Ching Ming Festival, whether people visit the cemetery or pay homage to their ancestors at the Nagu Pagoda, it is a place with a heavy cloudy atmosphere, so it is best to choose between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. 3 o'clock, and the sick, pregnant women and young children are not suitable to go to the grave to worship the ancestors because of their weak aura.

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Liao Dayi pointed out that when sweeping graves and offering sacrifices to ancestors, one should hold the spirit of prudence and pursuit, sincerely respect and worship ancestors, and be grateful for the care of ancestors. Apart from not being suitable for wearing bright or revealing clothes, one thing that must be paid special attention to is not to make loud noises when sweeping graves. Noisy, laughing and insulting, and uttering bad words, let alone criticizing the mistakes of the ancestors in life.

Especially when passing by other people’s cemeteries, never criticize them, because the dead are big, and criticizing yourself and other people’s ancestors is a disrespectful act to the ancestors. It will cause dissatisfaction with the offspring of other tomb owners and cause unnecessary trouble.

As for tomb-sweeping, must it be before Ching Ming Festival?

Liao Dayi pointed out that in the past, people visited tombs and worshiped ancestors on the "Shangsi Festival" on March 3 of the lunar calendar. Ancient people believed that bathing by the river on this day could purify the body and mind and drive away disasters. Also known as "Spring Bath Day" or "Xiao Qingming".

Tomb-sweeping on April 5th is a product of the regulations of the government of the Republic of China. In 1972, the government designated "National Tomb-sweeping Day" as a national holiday. In 1975, the former president Chiang Kai-shek happened to pass away on April 5th. Tomb-sweeping Day Combining the anniversary of Chiang Kai-shek's death, it later evolved into the custom of sweeping tombs and offering sacrifices to ancestors in Taiwanese society during the Ching Ming Festival. Therefore, people do not necessarily have to sweep the tombs before the Ching Ming Festival. If they are busy with work and other factors, as long as they are sincere and respectful, they can usually do so before the Dragon Boat Festival. Tomb-sweeping sacrifices.

Folklore expert Liao Dayi reminded the public to sweep graves during the Qingming Festival with sincerity and respect, and not to criticize ancestors or comment on other people's ancestors' graves.

(Provided by Liao Dayi)