The week to pay homage to the dead
March 26th 2008 05:51
Yesterday was supposed to be the first day cover editions of Astronauts, but when I went to check at the postal website it was postponed. And since this is the week where the Chinese folks start to celebrate Chinese All Souls Day, I might as well touch a topic of this annual custom held in Malaysia.
Qing Ming, or Cheng Beng (in Hokkien diallage) is the Chinese All Souls day, and this year it falls on April 4, 2008; where graves are being spruced up for the festival.
This annual festival is observed during the 10 days before and 10 days after the actual day (25 March – 14 April), and within this period of time, you’d see people in families or individuals flocking to the cemeteries and columbarium especially during weekends to clean the tomb and pay homage to the departed relatives.
Gone are the days where only hell money and joss-sticks were burnt as offerings. Now, perfect paper replicas of electrical and electronic items – televisions, refrigerators, mobile-phones (and even laptops) – designer wear, houses and even gift hampers containing herbs and supplements are offered to the dead.
Qing Ming, which originated in china as a day of celebrating the weather, has evolved into a day to pay respects to the ancestors. The festival was originally observed as a celebration of the mid Spring Equinox, which often brings a bright and clear day, thus the name Qing Ming, which translated to mean “clear and bright”
In ancient times, the Chinese took advantage of this clear and bright day to spend time outdoors and simply to enjoy the wonderful weather. Over time, they decide that it is a good time, due to the good weather, to clear the graves of their ancestors and pay homage to them.
Now, for most Chinese families, Qing Ming is the time to pay respect to their ancestors and also to instil a strong sense of filial piety among the younger generation.
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