Why did rural people in the past like to watch funerals? Aren't they afraid?

Why did rural people in the past like to watch funerals? Aren't they afraid? In rural areas, people pay more attention to funeral customs. In rural areas of Jiaodong, after a person dies, the funeral process is basically "three funerals", which means the funeral is held for three days before the funeral is held.

In the past, when transportation was underdeveloped, sometimes the close relatives of the deceased were far away. After a person died, in order to let their relatives see each other for the last time, the body would be parked on the door panel in the center of the main house. , the body was moribund for three days. In addition, medicine was underdeveloped in the past, and there was a fear of suspended animation, so the funeral was carried out and buried three days later. This custom has always been followed in rural areas.

Indeed, at that time, rural people would stand on both sides of the road to watch when there was a funeral in the village. In fact, I saw that the funeral people were not afraid. Those who are closely related to the deceased will accompany the funeral procession to the cemetery and wait until they are buried before returning home. Those who saw the funeral were the neighbors who were relatively distant in the village. They did not like to watch, but stood by the roadside to watch the deceased go.

In our country, we have always been particular about funeral culture, so after a person dies, seven days are burned, from the first seven days to the seventh day, the hundredth day, the anniversary, and up to the third anniversary, forming a series of sacrifices. Funeral and sacrificial customs. Sometimes, when rural people see funerals or burnings, they also see how particular the family is about funerals. Of course, we also chatted with each other while watching. This is about talking about people, the number of paper products tied up is so high, the old man is not lacking anything, and other topics.

After someone dies in a rural family, there are also many strict rules. For example, you cannot post couplets during the Spring Festival within three years, you cannot visit other people's homes without Shaotouqi, and the younger generation cannot get married within three years (in some places nowadays Changed to (cannot get married before a hundred days), children cannot wear red clothes within three years, etc. These customs have continued from ancient times to the present. In fact, this is also a kind of respect and mourning for the deceased.

Some funeral customs in rural areas are now much simpler than in the past. I think these forms are not important. What is important is that when the elderly are alive, children should be filial. Respecting, loving and respecting the elderly are the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation. We can only pass on this virtue. That's what matters.

Question: Why did rural people in the past like to see funerals? Aren't they afraid?

In the past, we still practiced burial in our local area, and used longevity coffins to carry the deceased to the place of eternal rest in the auspicious cave. Why did rural people like to watch funerals in the past?

The funeral ceremony has a strong sense of

The funeral of the deceased in the village is a big event, and the neighbors in the village come to pay tribute to the deceased. The more people who see him off, the more respected the deceased was during his lifetime.

The funeral procession is also very cumbersome. Starting from the time when the coffin is lifted, one of the deceased’s descendants will lead the way and run out of the ancestral hall using an aluminum pot to spread shaju. This is called “going out to kill” in our local area. I heard from the elders in the family that passers-by need to give way at this time; then the grandchildren will walk in front holding the portrait, walk a few steps, turn around and bow, and so on; followed by the mourning band, beating and banging; and then the coffin bearers will carry the statue. Holding the coffin, on both sides of the coffin are filial daughters and daughter-in-law holding the coffin and crying; then there are the people seeing off, and some relatives help to carry elegiac couplets, paper towers, etc.

Sometimes when a funeral of a long-lived old man is held in a house full of descendants, it is quite spectacular to see him from head to tail, stretching for several miles.

There are few entertainment activities in rural areas

In the past, there were no computers or mobile phones. Even TVs could only be afforded by relatively wealthy families. Therefore, there is really nothing to do or see in the countryside. During the funeral, watching the music and beatings, although the atmosphere was a bit sad, many people still enjoyed watching it. You can see how many coffin bearers were invited, how many filial sons and daughters there were, how many people saw off the funeral, etc.

Can you see that you are not afraid of funeral?

I remember when I was young, my parents wouldn’t let my sister and I watch the funeral, because they were worried that we would have nightmares after watching it at night. However, every time we, my sister and I, would take a peek: Our home is in the middle of the village, and the road out of the ancestral hall is right in front of my house. Every time an old man in the village dies and there is a funeral, my sister and I would lie down on the window and watch. But it can't be seen clearly, because the coffin will be covered with a big blanket, and only the front and back sides of the coffin can be seen.

To be honest, I have an innate fear of coffins. Every time I pass by an unused coffin prepared by an old man, I get scared. However, it can be seen that Xian Zhen is not afraid at all. As for what is the reason?

1. Relatively far apart. When you see a funeral, you usually look at it from a distance, vaguely, and sometimes you can't even see the coffin.

2. There are people everywhere. During a funeral, there are always people surrounding the coffin, with people in front, back, and left, and with the banging and banging, there is no atmosphere of fear at all. Besides, I would not watch the funeral alone, and there would be people around me.

3. Funerals are held in broad daylight. The bright day makes people brave, and the surroundings are bright and white in broad daylight, so they will not be associated with fear. They say that when you are scared, you are probably scaring yourself. If you are not scared in broad daylight, you will naturally not be scared anymore.

In rural areas, these days when an elderly person in the family dies and attends a funeral, which is actually the epitome of the human touch in rural areas. I personally feel that this aspect is much better than in the city.

My hometown is in a rural area. Under normal circumstances, immediately after the death of an old man, the neighbors will go to the home to express their condolences, and then spread the word by word of mouth. Soon everyone in the village will know that it will not last long. The host family will arrange for people to register who has been there, so that they can go to the person's house the next day to invite the mourners to come and have a meal on the third day.

Immediately inform the funeral procession, and everything will proceed in an orderly manner. On the day of the funeral, the person in charge will arrange the order of all links, and the filial sons and grandsons will be dressed in white and waiting to cry. That's it.

At the moment of the wake, the coffin board will be lifted up by the young adults in the village. The aura of concerted efforts at this time will move everyone, and they will slowly walk out of the door and place it in a special place. In the hearse, followed by filial sons, filial daughters and grandchildren, who, regardless of whether it was true or not, had already burst into tears.

Some families will hold memorial services for the elderly. The married daughters of the elderly will use this moment to thank their brothers or their spouses for taking care of the elderly over the years and drape them with red flowers. A symbolic act of gratitude.

There are so many people along the way. I have never heard of passers-by being scared after seeing a funeral. They don’t have this awareness. Maybe this folk behavior has been deeply rooted in people’s hearts. It has nothing to do with fear. It has nothing to do with fear. It's just a solemn mood, because everyone knows that one day they will be missed in this way.

If you have never seen a funeral procession in the countryside, you must not know what the mystery is.

When we were children in the countryside, we thought the most fun thing was getting married and being buried. Of course we looked forward to happy events and delicious food. But the matter of burying people is also scary and frightening. I'm afraid it's because someone died after all, and stories of various ghosts and monsters have been surrounding us for a long time when we were children. What's surprising is that there is food in the process of burying people.

In our village, when there is a funeral, the host family will make a lot of fancy steamed buns, flower rolls, date cakes, etc. This means worshiping in the field for a while, and then giving them to the children. . So once someone has a funeral, there must be many children. Everyone follows the funeral procession. After arriving at the cemetery, all the ceremonies are over. After offering these fancy steamed buns and flower rolls, we can just take them and eat them. What was going on at that time? I don’t care, even if I rush to eat it, it’s actually not that delicious. It’s just that everyone gets together and finds it fun. This is to provide peace of mind and let those who go have a safe journey.

In the past, a funeral in rural areas was the same as a wedding, and a performance team was invited to perform. Setting up a stage to perform shows is essential, and this has formed a one-stop industry. Next, of course, is eating. The funeral director also has to invite a group of people to cook and at the same time invite representatives from each family to have a meal. After the meal, the funeral will be held together. Of course, in some cases it is the other way around, with the funeral being held first and then the meal. This is determined by custom. In fact, this is also to let those who are no longer here rest in peace.

Some places still retain this custom, and some have to hold banquets for three or seven days after a person passes away. Some places also show movies, etc., which are all different.

But in general, it is enough to treat people well when they are alive. After they are gone, these pomps can only be a spectacle and cannot bring the dead back to life. What do you think?

Why did rural people in the past like to watch funerals? Aren't they afraid?

In rural areas, these days when an elderly person in the family dies and attends a funeral, which is actually the epitome of the human touch in rural areas. I personally feel that in this regard it is much better than in the city! After all, people are not so timid. Just like in the past, when there were elderly people in the villagers' homes, they would have the tradition of preparing coffins at home. I remember when I was a child, when I went to the villagers' homes to pay New Year's greetings, it was easy to find that there were coffins prepared for the elderly in their homes. This In fact, it is a reflection of filial piety in the past. Often such families will be more filial to their parents and the elderly! If people feel scared, then wouldn’t a coffin at home be more scary than a funeral? ! In fact, it is not. After all, this is a traditional concept in rural areas in the past and has been accepted by most people!

Speaking of funerals, it is also the last journey to send off the deceased. In rural areas, funeral activities usually last three days, but if it falls on a major festival or other factors, it may also last five days. Condition. Therefore, for rural people, they do not like to see funerals and other trivial activities. After all, they will never see each other again. Although they are not relatives, many people still feel a little sad!

After someone dies in a rural family, there are also many strict rules. For example, you cannot post couplets during the Spring Festival within three years, you cannot visit other people's homes without burning the first seven, and the younger generation cannot get married within three years (in some places today) Changed to (cannot get married before the age of 100 days), children cannot wear red clothes within three years, etc. These customs have continued from ancient times to the present. In rural areas where people are very sophisticated, weddings and funerals are actually more frequent. People are more exposed to funerals and other funeral activities, so naturally there is nothing to be afraid of!

I think these forms are not important. What is important is that when the old man is alive, the most important thing is that the children should be filial.

Why did rural people in the past like to watch funerals? Aren't they afraid?

Since rural areas are a society of small acquaintances, people often encounter weddings and funerals in and outside the village. Even if they are afraid, once they have experienced such funeral activities too much, they will not I don’t feel timid anymore, and funerals are mostly held during the day, and there are so many people and it’s so lively, so I basically don’t feel any fear! After all, people are not so timid. Just like in the past, when there were elderly people in the villagers' homes, they would have the tradition of preparing coffins at home. I remember when I was a child, when I went to the villagers' homes to pay New Year's greetings, it was easy to find that there were coffins prepared for the elderly in places such as awnings. The coffin is actually a manifestation of filial piety in the past. Often such families will be more filial to their parents and the elderly! If people feel scared, then wouldn’t a coffin at home be more scary than a funeral? ! In fact, it is not. After all, this is a traditional concept in rural areas in the past and has been accepted by most people!

It can be seen that a funeral can be regarded as the last journey for the deceased! In rural areas, since the person who died was an acquaintance in the village, the villagers will actively participate in the funeral activities by cheering, carrying coffins, and organizing funeral arrangements. Especially for members of large families with the same surname, they will usually put down the important things at hand at this time, and then Participate in the entire funeral process. Generally, funeral activities last three days, but if there is a major festival or other factors, it may also last five days. Therefore, for rural people, they do not like to see funerals and other mundane activities, but send the deceased in this way for the last part of their journey. After all, they will never see them again. Although they are not relatives, many people still feel a little sad. Of love!

Being timid is because there is no pressure, but courage can be cultivated! In rural areas, you will encounter many things that seem scary, but in fact have no specific impact.

For example, in the past, there were few roads in rural areas. When walking out of the village at night, you might need to pass the cemetery at the head of the village. At that time, even if you were passing by alone, you would basically not be afraid. After all, people were used to this kind of scene, and there was no need to worry about it. No matter what the impact, there is nothing to worry about! I remember that I used to go to school in the town. At that time, because I had early self-study, I often had to go to school before dawn. Since I would encounter three or four cemeteries on the road, I was scared at first, so I would ask my friends from the village to go to school with me. Later, after being divided into classes, I basically went to school alone. I remember that I actually encountered a will-o'-the-wisp situation at that time. There seemed to be a ball of blue fire in front of the grave. Fortunately, it was some distance away, otherwise it would have been possible. Will be scared! But later I found out that it was just a new grave. People were burning paper to fill the grave early in the morning. It was not some will-o'-the-wisp! Therefore, fear is actually the incomprehension of unknown things. Once you understand the truth, there is nothing to be afraid of!

Birth, old age, illness and death are a normal thing, especially due to the influence of rural life and traditional customs. However, when someone in the village gets old, there will be a funeral procession through the streets. A village is only that big. In this place, people come and go every year, so it’s no wonder that people are influenced by it.

Not only in the past, but still today, funerals are the most important in rural areas. Once there is a funeral in a family, representatives from almost every household in the village come, and people within the family help each other and collaborate. Dealing with various matters, and the villagers in the same village mourned. The scene was definitely very grand, and naturally attracted many people to watch.

Why did rural people in the past like to watch funerals? Aren't they afraid?

They are all villagers who meet each other without looking up. They are already very familiar with each other. When some people leave and grow old, there is sadness and reluctance in their hearts. The proportion of this feeling is The possession is very large, and fear will not exist under the control of emotion. Sadness will make you fearless of the uneasiness caused by superstition.

Rural funerals are not only attended by adults, but many children also join in to watch the excitement. The excitement here does not mean watching people’s jokes, but a kind of respect for the deceased. With the longing to learn from traditional customs, you can completely see the connotation of a family in funerals and funerals, and the comprehensiveness and importance of rural etiquette. You will deeply feel a kind of solemnity and solemnity, from the sadness of musical instruments and the cries of filial sons and grandsons. , mourning guests and friends crying, and the silent crowd around you, you will have a new understanding of the meaning of life, death, and living.

There are usually only two or three main streets in rural areas, but during funerals, a whole intersection will be filled with people. How can you feel scared in such a crowded place? In our rural area in southwestern Shandong, funerals usually last for three days. During these three days, people will come to pay their respects one after another. In the afternoon before the funeral, the whole family of the deceased will walk around the main streets of the village. , to inform the villagers, and in the evening there will be a special mourning hall to welcome the people in the village to kneel down and mourn.

You will not feel much fear about the death of someone you are too familiar with. Think about the person who greeted you and laughed with you yesterday, but today there is no more separation between life and death. When we meet, wouldn't it be the best way to remember him by giving him a ride? This situation will only make you cherish life and the people around you more.

Of course, there are some taboos in rural areas. When someone dies in the village, it is not a family of the same clan. People with children in the village usually take some plant ash to cover a line at the gate. Legend has it that plant ash has The magical effect can block interference from the outside world, so that children and babies will not be frightened and cry at night.

Why did rural people in the past like to watch funerals? Aren't they afraid?

Funeral is a very important thing in rural areas. I remember I once came across a saying: "It is better to borrow someone to pay for the funeral than to share a room with someone." In the past, if someone died in a family, the house at home was not enough. There will also be people willing to lend their houses to them. Our country has very strict funeral customs. Especially in ancient times, people of different statuses received different funeral treatments, and they cannot violate this system casually, otherwise they are likely to lose their lives. This is The gain outweighs the loss.

Once the earthen jar and basin are dropped, it means that everything in the human world is over. The deceased will go to another world with the blessings and thoughts of their relatives in the earthen jar. Get on with life. When burying people, some places deliberately let children avoid it because people think it is an unlucky thing and cannot be seen by children. However, adults are always happy to see the funeral. They like to see the funeral for the following reasons. .

First of all, most of them have a good relationship with the old man. Some people want to send the old man off for the last time so that they can leave peacefully. At the same time, they also want to finish what they have not finished saying to the old man and send them a message. Sadness; secondly, some people want to see how the family's funeral was arranged. This is actually an aspect that reflects the filial piety of the children. It can see the financial strength of the family. Many people like to do these things. It turns out that there is nothing to be afraid of at the funeral. After all, people around them die. Many old people have seen through life and death in their entire lives, so they have nothing to be afraid of. They just want to bid farewell to them for the last time.

Rural funeral customs are very complicated. People express their best wishes to the elderly through these complicated etiquette customs, and also inherit the old funeral traditions. People pay attention to the idea that they should be buried in peace. Even if they die in other places, some people will find ways to send them back. This is the concept of giving priority to the dead. For those who watch the funeral, there is nothing to be afraid of. Watching the deceased leave is the greatest respect for the deceased.

Why did rural people in the past like to watch funerals? Aren't they afraid? In rural areas, we often encounter this kind of scene. When someone gets married or someone dies, neighbors will go to help, and people in the same village will also watch the fun. So the question is, if you attend a wedding to feel happy, then what can you tell by watching the funeral?

Pay attention to the sense of ritual

In rural areas, weddings have a church-going ceremony, and funerals have funeral ceremonies, such as throwing a brazier and setting up a road. They are all very ritualistic, especially for wealthy people. Pay more attention to various ceremonies and make them very grand. Therefore, farmers also like to watch funeral activities.

In order to "see the coffin and get rich"

There is a saying in rural areas called "seeing the coffin and get rich". Popularly speaking, seeing the coffin means getting rich, which is a good thing. Some farmers go to see other people's funerals just for this good omen.

Can you see that you are not afraid of the funeral?

Although the deceased were from the same hometown, those who were not related by blood or had ordinary relationships would not be able to feel the sadness. Moreover, the deceased people are always inside the coffin, and even the outside of the coffin is covered with cloth, so they don’t feel scared when they see it.

Attend banquets

In some rural areas, banquets are not only held at weddings, but also at funerals. In some places, bands and song and dance troupes are even invited to perform. Although These are all waste and are not recommended, but there are always people who like to compare and show off, and the bigger the business becomes.

The author once heard about an old man who raised four sons. Sadly, no one was willing to take them home and take care of them when the old man was alive. In the end, the old man died of starvation at home because he was ill and could not take care of himself. What's even more sad is that after the old man passed away, one of his four sons hired someone to join the drum band. The funeral scene was a lively one.

I also like to watch funerals now. The reason for not being afraid may be based on people's understanding that birth, old age, illness and death are human nature, and they also downplay their own life. Decades ago, when someone died, I felt really scared inside. But now, the familiar people around me just "leave" when they say "leave". Facts tell us: fear of death is useless. Death is the final outcome of life. If you want to live a few more years, you must always maintain a good attitude. That's all.