The five rules of carrying coffins in rural areas, these people who cannot be ignored, do you know?
In the vast rural areas of China, carrying a coffin is a traditional and solemn ritual. Whenever a villager dies, people work together to carry the coffin to the cemetery. This is not only manual labor, but also respect and remembrance for the deceased. There is a strict set of rules to follow during the process of carrying a coffin. Today, let's talk about the five rules for carrying coffins in rural areas, especially three of them are not suitable for coffins.
Rule 1: Work together
Carrying the coffin is not an easy task, it requires everyone to work together. Before starting, there will be an experienced old man or leader to guide everyone to adjust the pace and rhythm to ensure that the coffin moves forward smoothly. In the process of marching, everyone must maintain a steady pace and strength, and there is no slackness.
Rule 2: Obey the order
The procession of carrying the coffin usually has a clear order. In general, family members will be at the front, followed by the deacons, and then behind the crowd carrying the coffin. Everyone stands in a pre-arranged position and is not allowed to move at will. The maintenance of this order is a sign of respect for the deceased and the family of the deceased.
Rule 3: No jokes or taboo words
Carrying the coffin is a solemn and solemn occasion, and no one should joke or say something unlucky during the process. Such light-hearted or offensive behavior can cause unpleasantness to others and may even be considered disrespectful to the deceased.
Rule 4: Those who are unwell should not participate
Carrying the coffin is a physical task, which requires the physical fitness of the participants. If someone who is unwell or elderly or infirm participates in the carrying of the coffin, it may not only affect the speed and stability of the whole procession, but also affect the health of individuals. Therefore, people who are not in good physical condition should not participate in the carrying of the coffin.
Rule 5: Specific groups of people should not carry coffins
What should be particularly emphasized here is that there is a saying in the countryside that three kinds of people are not suitable for carrying coffins. This is not to say that these people are not respected or excluded, but rather based on considerations of traditional customs and superstitious beliefs. These three types of people are: pregnant women, seriously ill people, and children who are too young.
There are three types of people who cannot carry the coffin:
The first type of person: pregnant women
Pregnant women are often considered to be "joyful" people, and activities such as carrying coffins are regarded as more gloomy and heavy occasions. In order not to collide with the "joy" and avoid the unlucky impact on the pregnant woman and the future baby, pregnant women should usually not participate in the coffin carrying.
The second type of people: those who are seriously ill
Seriously ill people are weak and need to recuperate and take care of them. In the physically demanding activity of carrying the coffin, the participation of the seriously ill may not only aggravate the condition, but also be inconsistent with respect and remembrance for the deceased. Therefore, it is not advisable for people who are seriously ill to participate in the carrying of coffins.
The third type of people: children who are too young
Children who are too young have limited strength and endurance due to their incomplete physical development. In the high-intensity physical labor of carrying the coffin, they may not be able to withstand such labor intensity. At the same time, in order to protect the innocence and spirituality of children, it is usually not appropriate for them to participate in the carrying of coffins.
The above rules and precautions are the embodiment of the traditional customs and cultural connotations of carrying coffins in rural areas. Although the development of modern society has gradually weakened some traditional customs, in many places, people still maintain respect for and follow these rules. This is not only the respect and remembrance of the deceased, but also the inheritance and promotion of traditional culture.
Of course, no matter who participates in carrying the coffin, the most important thing is to have a respectful heart and reverence for life. Only in this way can the meaning and value of the traditional ritual of carrying the coffin be truly reflected.
Finally, I hope this article can give you a deeper understanding of the traditional rules of carrying coffins in rural areas, and I also hope that you can pass on this knowledge and culture to more people. Let's respect traditions, inherit culture, and add more warmth and positive energy to our society!