Ancestor Veneration in China
*veneration-to have great respect for something or someone*
Ancestor veneration, or honoring of deceased family members, is an important part of Chinese life. The Chinese believe that people have 10 souls, 3 of which play important roles in the lives of their descendants. When a person dies, the Chinese believe that one soul enters an ancestral tablet. The tablet, made of a plain, oblong piece of wood, contains the name of the deceased and other important information about him or her. The tablet is placed in a family shrine, and the family burns incense and makes food offerings before this altar. Special ceremonies are also conducted at this altar on the second day of the Lunar New Year.
The second soul remains in the grave. Every April 5, families observe Tomb-Sweeping Day, or Quing Ming (pronounced CHING-MING). On this day, family members go to the graves of their ancestors early in the morning. They sweep the graves free of dirt, and place flowers and offering of food and wine in front of the tombs. In some places family members paint over the names of the tombstones with red paint for good luck.
The Chinese believe the third soul enters heaven, where it has a direct connection to God. They believe that their ancestors depend on the living to fulfill their need for respect, money, and food. The deceased also have the power to cause good or bad luck, and will help or curse their descendents based on how well they will have been honored.
