How to Burn Paper Offerings for Deceased Relatives While Away from Home During the Zhongyuan Festival
There are certain formalities involved in burning paper offerings for deceased relatives while away from home during the Zhongyuan Festival.1. Time for Burning Paper
When burning paper offerings for deceased relatives while away from home during the Zhongyuan Festival, it should be done after dark on the day of the festival, generally between 9 p.m. and midnight.
2. Location for Burning Paper
While away from home during the Zhongyuan Festival, you can burn paper offerings at the entrance of a residential area or by a crossroad, making sure to avoid grassy areas.
3. Formalities for Burning Paper
When burning paper offerings for deceased relatives while away from home during the Zhongyuan Festival, first draw a cross on the ground, then draw a circle around the cross. The circle should have an opening facing the direction of your hometown or the location of the ancestral grave.
How to Write the Signature When Burning Paper Offerings During the Zhongyuan Festival
For the ninth generation above: This refers to the ancestor. May the soul of the late ancestor (surname) Gong, whose name was (name), and the late lady (surname) be accepted. The signature should be: Filial Descendant.For the eighth generation above: This refers to the distant ancestor. May the soul of the late distant ancestor (surname) Gong, whose name was (name), and the late lady (surname) be accepted. The signature should be: Filial Descendant.
For the seventh generation above: This refers to the great ancestor. May the soul of the late great ancestor (surname) Gong, whose name was (name), and the late lady (surname) be accepted. The signature should be: Filial Descendant.
For the sixth generation above: This refers to the revered ancestor. May the soul of the late revered ancestor (surname) Gong, whose name was (name), and the late lady (surname) be accepted. The signature should be: Filial Descendant.
For the fifth generation above: This refers to the heavenly ancestor. May the soul of the late heavenly ancestor (surname) Gong, whose name was (name), and the late lady (surname) be accepted. The signature should be: Filial Descendant.
For the fourth generation above: This refers to the high ancestor. May the soul of the late high ancestor (surname) Gong, whose name was (name), and the late lady (surname) be accepted. The signature should be: Filial Descendant.
For the third generation above: This refers to the great-grandfather. May the soul of the late great-grandfather (surname) Gong, whose name was (name), and the late lady (surname) be accepted. The signature should be: Filial Descendant.
For the second generation above: This refers to the grandfather. May the soul of the late father (surname) Gong, whose name was (name), and the late lady (surname) be accepted. The signature should be: Filial Descendant.
For the first generation above: This refers to the father. May the soul of the late respected father (surname) Gong, whose name was (name), and the late lady (surname) be accepted. The signature should be: Filial Son.
