The 24 solar terms are not only a system for guiding agricultural production, but also a folk system containing rich folk customs. What offerings should be prepared for the Qingming Festival in Fujian? Come to Huayi Network and learn about the Qingming Festival!
The usual offerings for the Qingming Festival in Fujian
The usual offerings for the Qingming Festival in Fujian usually include incense, candles, paper money, fruits, meals, wine, and tea. However, the offerings vary by region and have local characteristics.
For example, in coastal areas, the offerings often include cooked fish, pork, and chicken, representing sea, land, and air, as well as clams, crabs, and ducks. In plain areas, people prepare tofu sticks, "Qingming Tortoise," and golden needle flowers. In mountainous areas, more solemn ancestor worship may include a lamb's head, paired with red mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots, and "Nianghong," allowing the wild flavors, fragrance, and wine aroma to permeate the souls of ancestors. Peanuts are an essential offering in Xianyou, because the local dialect pronunciation of "sheng" (meaning "to produce") is similar to "ding" (meaning "descendants"). After the tomb sweeping, the whole family gathers around the ancestor's grave to peel peanuts, symbolizing the prosperity of descendants.
For example, in coastal areas, the offerings often include cooked fish, pork, and chicken, representing sea, land, and air, as well as clams, crabs, and ducks. In plain areas, people prepare tofu sticks, "Qingming Tortoise," and golden needle flowers. In mountainous areas, more solemn ancestor worship may include a lamb's head, paired with red mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots, and "Nianghong," allowing the wild flavors, fragrance, and wine aroma to permeate the souls of ancestors. Peanuts are an essential offering in Xianyou, because the local dialect pronunciation of "sheng" (meaning "to produce") is similar to "ding" (meaning "descendants"). After the tomb sweeping, the whole family gathers around the ancestor's grave to peel peanuts, symbolizing the prosperity of descendants.
What fruits should be avoided when offering to ancestors
1. Fruits with negative meanings
Pears sound like "li" which means "separation." Ancient people believed that pears represented separation and distance. Bringing pears to the grave would mean separating from ancestors, so fruits with negative connotations like pears should not be offered on graves.
2. Clustered fruits
Fruits like grapes, longans, and lychees are often presented in clusters. Although they are sweet and juicy, their clustered form implies "many offspring" in daily gifts. However, when placed on the altar during ancestor worship, it suggests "going away with ancestors," which is considered very unlucky. To avoid this bad omen, clustered fruits should not be used for ancestor worship.
3. Hollow fruits
Offering to ancestors is an expression of remembrance and respect. It requires sincerity. Fruits like honeydew melon or fragrant melon are hollow inside. If such fruits are brought to offer to ancestors, it implies "lack of heart" in the offering, showing disrespect to ancestors, which goes against the original purpose of ancestor worship.
4. Fruits with many seeds
Fruits like pomegranates, passion fruit, and dragon fruit contain many seeds. Although they are often given as gifts to symbolize "many offspring," they carry negative connotations when offered to ancestors. They are considered bad omens, so these types of fruits should never be brought to ancestor worship.
Pears sound like "li" which means "separation." Ancient people believed that pears represented separation and distance. Bringing pears to the grave would mean separating from ancestors, so fruits with negative connotations like pears should not be offered on graves.
2. Clustered fruits
Fruits like grapes, longans, and lychees are often presented in clusters. Although they are sweet and juicy, their clustered form implies "many offspring" in daily gifts. However, when placed on the altar during ancestor worship, it suggests "going away with ancestors," which is considered very unlucky. To avoid this bad omen, clustered fruits should not be used for ancestor worship.
3. Hollow fruits
Offering to ancestors is an expression of remembrance and respect. It requires sincerity. Fruits like honeydew melon or fragrant melon are hollow inside. If such fruits are brought to offer to ancestors, it implies "lack of heart" in the offering, showing disrespect to ancestors, which goes against the original purpose of ancestor worship.
4. Fruits with many seeds
Fruits like pomegranates, passion fruit, and dragon fruit contain many seeds. Although they are often given as gifts to symbolize "many offspring," they carry negative connotations when offered to ancestors. They are considered bad omens, so these types of fruits should never be brought to ancestor worship.
