Superstitious and Taboos of Death in Chinese Culture

Written by Adrian

In Chinese culture, because of the respected attitude toward their ancestors and people's fear feeling toward death, there forms up several of superstitious and taboos of death. Except this, it needs to know that Chinese religious believes people would turn into ghost after they die. Then, the people's former alive behavior would decide the going direction of the ghost, such as whether the ghost needs to go to the hell, linger in the human’s world or enter in the transmigration of the soul. However, though we cannot affect one's behavior that decides the going of the soul, we can still have other ways to help these souls enter in the better place.

First, it's about the ritual superstitious and taboos of the death. It's believed that the dieing people should pass away at his own house and bed, and at that time all the family should gather together in front of this person. I think this is because Chinese people care the conception of family and also believe the saying that” we come back from where we come from”.

Second, after this person is dead, their family's god status should be covered by red papers. Then, the descendants will set up a place to prey this new dead one, and serves the dished there with the chopsticks suck in the middle of the bowl as if the dead one sill alive. Later, after finding the nice buried place that will have a great influence on the fortune of a family and his offsprings, the family will announce their family and friend to attend the funeral.

Third, the day before the buried ritual, all the guests should give the family some money in white envelope. At this time, the receiver can only replay: ”You have a good heart ” rather than “Thank you!” In return, the receiver will give off the gifts that include a coin, a white towel and a candy. Then, all of the descendants should stay up for a night to guard the dead body. (In the past time, they fear the dead body would corrupt by the dogs or cats.)

Last, after the dead body already be cleaned and wears cosmetic and nice clothes, this would be the last time for all the family and friends to see the dead before interment. Meanwhile, there would be a Taoist prays for the ghost. Generally, Chinese people like to chose interment for fear of destroy their dead people's body. When the burial ritual is done, everyone will have a vegetarian meal together, and need to cross a small stove before enter in the home on the behalf of getting rid of bad luck. It's almost 3 months after one's family dead; their offspring should wear some particular thing to pay respect to their dead people and can't enter any gatherings. Except that, it's believed those ghosts will come back to their home after 7 days.


Reference:
1.http://www.thinkerstar.com/lu/essays/funeral/deathtw.html
2.http://www.hkmd.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=8