The best time to visit ancestral graves on the Mid-Autumn Festival is between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.. According to ancient beliefs, this period has the strongest yang energy and is also earlier in the day. It is not only harmless to oneself but also allows one to express their grief early. Later in the afternoon, either it's too hot for worship or the sun sets, making it unsuitable for rituals.
In some areas, people set up an altar at home to worship ancestors. If you are worshipping ancestors at home, you need to prepare the offerings in advance. Therefore, the timing should be earlier. Usually, the altar should be set up on the night of July 14th to welcome the ancestors back home. On the 15th of July, meals should be prepared three times a day—morning, noon, and evening—to worship the ancestors.
Is it necessary to visit the grave of parents on the Mid-Autumn Festival
It is necessary to visit the grave of parents on the Mid-Autumn Festival, and some people will worship them at home. However, due to different local customs, it is still best to follow the habits of your area. In rural areas, people usually offer food and burn paper money to their deceased parents at home, and kneel to pay homage. Urban residents live in apartments and are limited by conditions, so they usually hold rituals at the cemetery.
Worshipping ancestors at home during the Mid-Autumn Festival follows the usual methods. Light three incense sticks and two candles, prepare 3-5 dishes, first offer them to the ancestors, then take the previously written "bundles" to a nearby crossroads and burn them, representing sending money to the ancestors, allowing them to use the money to watch plays and attend temple fairs on the Mid-Autumn Festival.
It is bad for the family of her husband and herself. Whether it is the Mid-Autumn Festival or other days for tomb sweeping, it is usually the son of the family who handles it, while daughters rarely participate. This is because, traditionally, it is considered very bad for a daughter to visit the grave. Especially for the family of her husband, women visiting the grave may lead to the family being without descendants. Therefore, most women voluntarily avoid participating.
In some places, if the daughter is not yet married, she can completely visit the grave. Because she is also a member of the family, her presence will also receive the blessings of the ancestors.
