The 24 solar terms are not only a time system for guiding agricultural production, but also a folk system containing rich folk customs. What should people do if they are away from home on Tomb Sweeping Day and cannot visit the cemetery to pay respects to their ancestors? Come to Huayi Network and learn about Qingming!
How to Pay Respect to Ancestors When Away From Home on Tomb Sweeping Day
If you are away from home on Tomb Sweeping Day and cannot visit the cemetery to pay respects to your ancestors, you can choose to offer sacrifices remotely in your current location.
1. Set Up Offerings and Burn Incense
First, arrange the five kinds of fruits and pastries you have prepared. Then start burning incense. Burn three sticks of incense. The first stick is offered to the local City God, asking them to witness and protect your ancestors as they come to receive the offerings. The second stick is offered to the local Land God, asking them to witness and protect your ancestors as they come to receive the offerings. The third stick is offered to your ancestors, inviting them to come and enjoy the offerings.
2. Draw a Circle and Burn Paper Money
Find a crossroads, a riverbank, or another convenient place for the ceremony. Use branches or sticks to draw a circle, making sure to leave an opening. Divide the paper money into two parts. Most of it should be placed inside the circle, which is burned for your own ancestors. A smaller portion should be placed outside the circle, which is burned for sentient beings, helping to cultivate good karma. When burning the paper money, light the part inside the circle first, then the part outside.
3. Express Grief and Sorrow
During the process of burning paper money, maintain a solemn and respectful attitude. Mentally or verbally recite that you are burning the paper money for your ancestors, explaining that due to travel difficulties, you cannot return home to pay homage to your ancestors. Hope that after receiving the money, they can be well settled there, and promise to frequently send money to the tomb in the future. Finally, silently pray that the spirits of your ancestors may protect your family and descendants, ensuring safety, smoothness, and all things going well.
1. Set Up Offerings and Burn Incense
First, arrange the five kinds of fruits and pastries you have prepared. Then start burning incense. Burn three sticks of incense. The first stick is offered to the local City God, asking them to witness and protect your ancestors as they come to receive the offerings. The second stick is offered to the local Land God, asking them to witness and protect your ancestors as they come to receive the offerings. The third stick is offered to your ancestors, inviting them to come and enjoy the offerings.
2. Draw a Circle and Burn Paper Money
Find a crossroads, a riverbank, or another convenient place for the ceremony. Use branches or sticks to draw a circle, making sure to leave an opening. Divide the paper money into two parts. Most of it should be placed inside the circle, which is burned for your own ancestors. A smaller portion should be placed outside the circle, which is burned for sentient beings, helping to cultivate good karma. When burning the paper money, light the part inside the circle first, then the part outside.
3. Express Grief and Sorrow
During the process of burning paper money, maintain a solemn and respectful attitude. Mentally or verbally recite that you are burning the paper money for your ancestors, explaining that due to travel difficulties, you cannot return home to pay homage to your ancestors. Hope that after receiving the money, they can be well settled there, and promise to frequently send money to the tomb in the future. Finally, silently pray that the spirits of your ancestors may protect your family and descendants, ensuring safety, smoothness, and all things going well.
Which Fruits Are Suitable for Offering at the Altar
1. Pineapple. The outer skin of a pineapple has layers, symbolizing continuous progress and rising success. It is said that placing a pineapple when offering sacrifices will bring smooth sailing throughout one's life and promote career advancement.
2. Apple. Apples symbolize peace and safety, as "ping" (flat) is a homophone with "ping an" (peace). Therefore, apples are commonly chosen during offerings to pray for the safety of the entire family.
3. Banana. Bananas resemble ingots (ancient gold coins), and their golden color resembles that of ancient gold ingots. Therefore, offering bananas is a way to hope for great wealth and prosperity.
4. Dates. This is usually offered by those who wish to have children, as "zao sheng gui zi" (early birth of a precious son) sounds similar to "zao zi" (dates).
5. Longan. Longan symbolizes reunion and unity, as every family hopes for eternal togetherness among its members.
2. Apple. Apples symbolize peace and safety, as "ping" (flat) is a homophone with "ping an" (peace). Therefore, apples are commonly chosen during offerings to pray for the safety of the entire family.
3. Banana. Bananas resemble ingots (ancient gold coins), and their golden color resembles that of ancient gold ingots. Therefore, offering bananas is a way to hope for great wealth and prosperity.
4. Dates. This is usually offered by those who wish to have children, as "zao sheng gui zi" (early birth of a precious son) sounds similar to "zao zi" (dates).
5. Longan. Longan symbolizes reunion and unity, as every family hopes for eternal togetherness among its members.
