Significance Of Seven-Day Cycle
By Dong Zhen |
December 20, 2010, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
TRADITIONALLY, Chinese mourn the passing of loved ones on set days which are seven days apart.
It is believed that dead spirits will visit their homes and linger there at midnight seven times every seven days after the day of their death.
When the total of 49 days end, the souls of the dead are released to go to heaven or to be born anew.
As part of the traditional rituals, families of the deceased prepare meals and burn paper offerings on such occasions to express their sorrow and grief.
Theories vary as to the origin of this tradition and details of the mourning ceremony differ from each other in every region. But most believe that the fifth seventh day, or 35 days after the person died, is the most important one during the whole 49-day period.
It is believed that dead spirits will visit their homes and linger there at midnight seven times every seven days after the day of their death.
When the total of 49 days end, the souls of the dead are released to go to heaven or to be born anew.
As part of the traditional rituals, families of the deceased prepare meals and burn paper offerings on such occasions to express their sorrow and grief.
Theories vary as to the origin of this tradition and details of the mourning ceremony differ from each other in every region. But most believe that the fifth seventh day, or 35 days after the person died, is the most important one during the whole 49-day period.
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