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===Introduction=== | ==Online Resources== | ||
Chinese grave shapes, furnishings, and their symbolic meanings have to be understood within the context of the Chinese world view and of Chinese | *[http://www.wmuw.cn/ Online Chinese cemetery memorials] - wmuw.cn (in Chinese) | ||
==Introduction== | |||
===Belief System=== | |||
Chinese grave shapes, furnishings, and their symbolic meanings have to be understood within the context of the Chinese world view and of Chinese beliefs in the origin of human life. Christians believe that the universe was freely created by God "out of nothing." This varies from Chinese beliefs as follows: | |||
*In prehistoric China, the concept of God as the creator was unknown. | *In prehistoric China, the concept of God as the creator was unknown. | ||
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This belief, too, partly explains why purging other people's ancestral graves was regarded as a most severe form of revenge in historic China, and why disturbances to people's ancestral graves, such as the necessity for relocation due to public works projects in Hong Kong, have on countless occasions received strong opposition. If, on the contrary, people have run into troubles, suffered losses in finance, or experienced the death of some family members, they might relate that to disharmonies in yinyang interactions and look for remedial actions, by, for instance, reconstructing or even relocating the ancestral graves. | This belief, too, partly explains why purging other people's ancestral graves was regarded as a most severe form of revenge in historic China, and why disturbances to people's ancestral graves, such as the necessity for relocation due to public works projects in Hong Kong, have on countless occasions received strong opposition. If, on the contrary, people have run into troubles, suffered losses in finance, or experienced the death of some family members, they might relate that to disharmonies in yinyang interactions and look for remedial actions, by, for instance, reconstructing or even relocating the ancestral graves. | ||
Through years of experimental trial and error, part of the Chinese experience in yin yang interactions has been distilled into the theories and practices of ''fengshui'' the principles of locating, orienting, and designing yin and yang houses. When a person dies, his family members will often consult a ''fengshui'' master for advice as to where, how, and when the body should be buried, and how the grave ought to be oriented, designed, and constructed. The outcome of the ''fengshui'', however, will have to be attested by the subsequent development of the family. When the family enjoys prosperity after the burial, the members conclude that the ''fengshui | Through years of experimental trial and error, part of the Chinese experience in yin yang interactions has been distilled into the theories and practices of ''fengshui'' the principles of locating, orienting, and designing yin and yang houses. When a person dies, his family members will often consult a ''fengshui'' master for advice as to where, how, and when the body should be buried, and how the grave ought to be oriented, designed, and constructed. The outcome of the ''fengshui'', however, will have to be attested by the subsequent development of the family. When the family enjoys prosperity after the burial, the members conclude that the ''fengshui''of the chosen burial site is good. Otherwise, they would assume bad ''fengshui'' and would probably take action to correct it. | ||
=== The On-Going Significance of the Ancestors | ===The On-Going Significance of the Ancestors=== | ||
Yin and yang are inseparable. They make up a unity representing the whole of existence. Thus, the world of the deceased continues to influence that of the living. Families trace their genealogy back to a significant ancestor. The descendants of this ancestor form a lineage. The symbol of the lineage is the grave of this ancestor. Sometimes the grave contains the remains of his wife or wives; in Hong Kong, concubinage was made illegal as recently as 1971. | Yin and yang are inseparable. They make up a unity representing the whole of existence. Thus, the world of the deceased continues to influence that of the living. Families trace their genealogy back to a significant ancestor. The descendants of this ancestor form a lineage. The symbol of the lineage is the grave of this ancestor. Sometimes the grave contains the remains of his wife or wives; in Hong Kong, concubinage was made illegal as recently as 1971. | ||
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Paper offerings are burnt at the graveside in the belief that in so doing they are sent to the world of the ancestral spirits where they will make the spirits more comfortable. Hence, paper offerings consist of representations of material goods, such as cars, clothes, and money. Few ever question whether their ancestors have received and used the offerings. All such notes claim to be issued by Hell Bank. | Paper offerings are burnt at the graveside in the belief that in so doing they are sent to the world of the ancestral spirits where they will make the spirits more comfortable. Hence, paper offerings consist of representations of material goods, such as cars, clothes, and money. Few ever question whether their ancestors have received and used the offerings. All such notes claim to be issued by Hell Bank. | ||
Besides paper money, Hong Kong Chinese burn "Rebirth Paper" (Paper for Rebirth in the Western Paradise, Amitabha’s Pure Land) for their ancestors. | Besides paper money, Hong Kong Chinese burn "Rebirth Paper" (Paper for Rebirth in the Western Paradise, Amitabha’s Pure Land) for their ancestors. Spirits receiving such papers are believed to become entitled to rebirth in this Paradise. This practice and belief reflects the absorption of Buddhist beliefs into the traditional rites of ancestor worship among the Chinese. It symbolizes the wish of the living for the peace and eternal life of their ancestors. | ||
In the People's Republic of China, to which Hong Kong was returned in mid-1997, the festivals of ''Qingming'' and ''Chongyang'' were for some time not recognized, being seen as typical of ‘the "four olds" (old habits, ideas, customs, and culture) which have been confronted head-on as extravagant, wasteful, and/or meaninglessly superstitious. | In the People's Republic of China, to which Hong Kong was returned in mid-1997, the festivals of ''Qingming'' and ''Chongyang'' were for some time not recognized, being seen as typical of ‘the "four olds" (old habits, ideas, customs, and culture) which have been confronted head-on as extravagant, wasteful, and/or meaninglessly superstitious. | ||
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In other cases, individuals have shown their resistance to the mandatory requirement for cremation by constructing elegant graves, in which they place coffins containing the ashes of their deceased relative. Such practices reflect the persistence of the strength of tradition as a determinant of human behavior (a tradition which cannot be easily transformed through administrative edicts. | In other cases, individuals have shown their resistance to the mandatory requirement for cremation by constructing elegant graves, in which they place coffins containing the ashes of their deceased relative. Such practices reflect the persistence of the strength of tradition as a determinant of human behavior (a tradition which cannot be easily transformed through administrative edicts. | ||
==Traditional and Current Burial Practice== | |||
In such a vast country as China, and especially in historic times when cultural diffusion was severely restricted by terrain and distance, there unavoidably evolved high degrees of localized ''fengshui'' beliefs, and great varieties of "correct" ways to perform the rituals associated with burial. Hong Kong is culturally part of Guangdong Province, despite the peculiarities of its political geography. Therefore, it shares in the practice of second burial typical of southern China, including Zhejiang and Fujian. | In such a vast country as China, and especially in historic times when cultural diffusion was severely restricted by terrain and distance, there unavoidably evolved high degrees of localized ''fengshui'' beliefs, and great varieties of "correct" ways to perform the rituals associated with burial. Hong Kong is culturally part of Guangdong Province, despite the peculiarities of its political geography. Therefore, it shares in the practice of second burial typical of southern China, including Zhejiang and Fujian. | ||
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For more information about funeral practices in Taiwan, see the web page '''[http://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Taiwan/sub5_1b/entry-3815.html Funerals in Taiwan.]''' | For more information about funeral practices in Taiwan, see the web page '''[http://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Taiwan/sub5_1b/entry-3815.html Funerals in Taiwan.]''' | ||
=== Grave Form and Furnishings | ===Grave Form and Furnishings=== | ||
Most Chinese, especially those in southern China, have regarded the form of an armchair as the ideal shape of the grave. An armchair gives a sense of wealth, comfort and dignity. In historic times, only the elite class or the mandarin Chinese could afford armchairs. Moreover, armchairs symbolize authority and power, for in the olden days the armchair was the seat for the magistrate when he presided in court. By erecting the grave in the armchair shape, people believed that their ancestors in the yin world could enjoy comfort, dignity, and pride. Therefore, the interaction between the yin and the yang would be harmonious and beneficial. People might even anticipate that "if my ancestors were to become magistrates in the yin world, they would be able to protect us and help us move upward into the ruling class in the yang world as well." | Most Chinese, especially those in southern China, have regarded the form of an armchair as the ideal shape of the grave. An armchair gives a sense of wealth, comfort and dignity. In historic times, only the elite class or the mandarin Chinese could afford armchairs. Moreover, armchairs symbolize authority and power, for in the olden days the armchair was the seat for the magistrate when he presided in court. By erecting the grave in the armchair shape, people believed that their ancestors in the yin world could enjoy comfort, dignity, and pride. Therefore, the interaction between the yin and the yang would be harmonious and beneficial. People might even anticipate that "if my ancestors were to become magistrates in the yin world, they would be able to protect us and help us move upward into the ruling class in the yang world as well." | ||
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Moving away from grave shapes to furnishings, graves in urban Hong Kong cemeteries today often have a concrete, molded, porch-shaped framework in which a tablet in polished granite or other stone is set. In part of mainland China, the tablet on a grave gives the name, as well as the dates of birth and death, of the buried person. In Hong Kong, the ancestral place of origin is also usually inscribed, as most of Hong Kong's residents are immigrants from mainland China. | Moving away from grave shapes to furnishings, graves in urban Hong Kong cemeteries today often have a concrete, molded, porch-shaped framework in which a tablet in polished granite or other stone is set. In part of mainland China, the tablet on a grave gives the name, as well as the dates of birth and death, of the buried person. In Hong Kong, the ancestral place of origin is also usually inscribed, as most of Hong Kong's residents are immigrants from mainland China. | ||
=== Examples of Graves and Niches in Hong Kong | ===Examples of Graves and Niches in Hong Kong=== | ||
Chinese Permanent Cemeteries (CPC) are managed on a nonprofit basis by the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries Board (CPCB), which comprises Government-appointed trustees. The Regional Services Department manages seven cemeteries and several columbaria in the New Territories and Outlying Islands, and the Urban Services Department manages three cemeteries and associated columbaria, two on Hong Kong Island and one in Kowloon. There are also six cemeteries and associated columbaria run by various Christian providers. | Chinese Permanent Cemeteries (CPC) are managed on a nonprofit basis by the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries Board (CPCB), which comprises Government-appointed trustees. The Regional Services Department manages seven cemeteries and several columbaria in the New Territories and Outlying Islands, and the Urban Services Department manages three cemeteries and associated columbaria, two on Hong Kong Island and one in Kowloon. There are also six cemeteries and associated columbaria run by various Christian providers. | ||
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Mass graves (known as yizhong) were provided by such associations, but some were merely symbolic and contained no remains. There were several such graves in the Mount Davis area of Hong Kong Island in prewar years and several remain today. At festival times, members of the regional association gather to carry out the necessary rites on behalf of those contained in or represented by the charitable grave. The Tung Wah Hospital continues to provide such graves for those with no relatives to look after the deceased. | Mass graves (known as yizhong) were provided by such associations, but some were merely symbolic and contained no remains. There were several such graves in the Mount Davis area of Hong Kong Island in prewar years and several remain today. At festival times, members of the regional association gather to carry out the necessary rites on behalf of those contained in or represented by the charitable grave. The Tung Wah Hospital continues to provide such graves for those with no relatives to look after the deceased. | ||
=== Conclusions | ===Conclusions=== | ||
Urban cemeteries, columbaria, and rural graves are striking, culturally important, and essential features of Hong Kong's cultural landscape. The situation in other cities with large Chinese populations, such as Taiwanese cities and Singapore, require further study. | Urban cemeteries, columbaria, and rural graves are striking, culturally important, and essential features of Hong Kong's cultural landscape. The situation in other cities with large Chinese populations, such as Taiwanese cities and Singapore, require further study. | ||
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Finally, in one specific regard, Chinese attitudes to graves and cemeteries are extraordinarily different from those of people brought up in the various western, Christian cultures. Death is regarded as polluting the environment, the landscapes of death are regarded as potentially powerful, and burial sites are avoided except at festivals or other appropriate occasions. Research is regarded with considerable reserve by Chinese colleagues, and it could even be said that the area is seen as taboo. | Finally, in one specific regard, Chinese attitudes to graves and cemeteries are extraordinarily different from those of people brought up in the various western, Christian cultures. Death is regarded as polluting the environment, the landscapes of death are regarded as potentially powerful, and burial sites are avoided except at festivals or other appropriate occasions. Research is regarded with considerable reserve by Chinese colleagues, and it could even be said that the area is seen as taboo. | ||
==Collected Transcriptions of Tombstone Inscriptions== | |||
Research Use: In cases where lineage genealogies are unavailable these records can provide lineage linkage and individual information. | Research Use: In cases where lineage genealogies are unavailable these records can provide lineage linkage and individual information. | ||
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Population Coverage: Less than 1%.<ref name="profile">The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: China,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 1997.</ref> | Population Coverage: Less than 1%.<ref name="profile">The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: China,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 1997.</ref> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[zh:華人墓地]] | |||
[[Category:Chinese Genealogy]][Category:Cemeteries]] | [[Category:Chinese Genealogy]][Category:Cemeteries]] | ||
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