(Excerpted from the Internet)
What do the words " therefore, show, test, concubine" in the inscription on the tombstone mean?
Over the course of five thousand years, China has gradually formed a very complete etiquette system, and funerals fall into the category of "unfortunate etiquette". After a person dies, a tombstone must be erected. On the tombstone, the name of the deceased and his main experience are engraved. The engraved text is also very particular.
From the three aspects of the function of the inscription, the keywords in the inscription, and the common titles of the inscription, a comprehensive analysis and explanation is conducted to help netizens fully understand the "so, show, test, and The difference between "concubine" and "concubine", as well as understanding common titles in inscriptions.
1. The role of inscriptions
For the grave of the deceased, one or two generations can still remember it clearly, but after three generations it will be clear. Gradually the memory becomes blurred. How to solve this problem? After constant exploration, people gradually erected monuments for the deceased and recorded the identity information of the deceased through stone monuments. This practice was popular in the Han and Tang Dynasties, and gradually became the norm and continues to this day. This is also very consistent with the mentality of the Chinese people to honor their ancestors and bless their descendants.
Today's tombstones are mostly made of granite, marble and other high-quality stones. The purpose is to withstand wind, rain, and sun, ensuring long-term durability and remaining in the world.
If you understand the function of the tombstone, you can also understand the function of the inscription. The inscription, the text engraved on the tombstone, is equivalent to the identity coordinates of the deceased, clarifying his main interpersonal relationships in society, especially the relationship with the person who erected the tombstone, for future generations to worship.
Therefore, in addition to the name, birth and death date information in the inscription, the more important thing is the Chinese characters that show the relationship with the descendants. The size of the tombstone is limited, and the inscription needs to be as concise as possible, and as concise and comprehensive as possible, so one word often represents a relationship or a meaning.
2. Keywords in the inscription - so, show, kao, concubine and others
1. In the inscription The word "古"
In the modern Chinese dictionary, the word "古" has three meanings. One is the original, the past. Like old address, hometown. The second is friends and friendship. Like a relative, a close relative. The third is death. Such as death of illness or premature death of parents.
The word "gu" in the inscription takes the third meaning and represents death. The word "gu" avoids the taboo and blunt word "death", and at the same time expresses an elegant and respectful name for "death".
2. The word "Xian" in the inscription
The word "Xian" has a meaning that means someone with a good reputation. , powerful position. For example, prominent and prominent.
In the inscription, "Xian" is used as a modifier, which is intended to indicate that the deceased's reputation, status, and prestige were outstanding, and that he was a distinguished figure. It is mostly used for dignitaries and people with high status.
Among the inscriptions, there is another word similar to "Xian" that is more common, that is "Xian". Compared with the word "Xian", "Xian" is an honorific based on the order of death, such as father, mother, husband, etc.
"Xian" is mostly related to status, power and wealth. And "first" is more based on respect for time.
3. "Kao, concubine" in the inscription
There is a four-character idiom - such as mourning kao concubine (bi, three (sound), which means like a deceased parent, describing being very sad and anxious, and has a derogatory connotation.
From this idiom, we can basically infer the meaning of "test concubine".
"Kao", written language, is the honorific title of father, and refers specifically to the deceased father. For example, take the exam first.
"妣", written language, is the honorific title of mother, and refers specifically to the deceased mother. For example, the deceased.
Therefore, the words "kao" and "妣" cannot be used casually. They all specifically refer to deceased parents.
4. Other keywords in the inscription
In addition to the above four words, there are other keywords in the inscription Common keywords are listed below.
The first is "Gong" and "Shi". Added after the "surname" of the deceased. For men, add "Gong", or "Fujun", and for women, add "Shi", or "Ruren". If they have the same surname of "Liu", if they are men, they will be Liu Gong. If she is a woman, she is Liu. Or, Liu Fujun, Liu Ruren.
The second is "Ruren" and "Old Ruren". In ancient times, "ruren" referred to the wives of seventh-rank officials. In modern times, "Ruren" is an honorific title for women. The deceased woman who was over 60 years old was called the "eldest child". Those who are under the age of 60 are called "big Ruren".
The third is to respect the left and the right. If the names of the couple are engraved on the monument at the same time, they should be arranged according to the principle of left and right monuments, with the man on the left and the woman on the right. This left and right orientation is determined based on the orientation of the stone tablet.
The fourth is "taboo". In order to show respect for the deceased, people often do not call them by their first names, but use a word instead of naming them. This word is "taboo". A person's name is composed of a surname and a given name. "Taboo" refers to the "name" of the deceased.
3. Common titles of inscriptions
Erecting a monument for the deceased is usually a matter for the children. However, the reality is complex. Some of the previous stone monuments were damaged and later generations re-erected them. Some sons-in-law erect monuments for their father-in-law and mother-in-law, among friends, and between teachers and students. Then, according to different circumstances, the title of the deceased in the inscription will change with the identity of the person who established the monument, and the relationship and title will change accordingly. Common inscription titles are as follows:
1. Showing ancestors and testing the spirit of a certain Taifu monarch (to grandfather)
2. Reveal the spirit of the ancestor’s concubine, Mrs. XX (to the grandmother)
3. Reveal the spirit of the lord of the XX mansion (to the father)
4. Show the spirit of a certain old girl (to the mother)
5. Show the spirit of a certain old man (to the father-in-law)
6. The spirit of the old woman of the surname Yue’s family (to the mother-in-law)
7. The spirit of the late husband XX Spirit (to the husband)
8. The spirit of the first wife (to the wife)
9. Mr. The spirit of a certain gentleman (to a friend)
10. The spirit of a certain gentleman (to a friend or disciple)
Summary:
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From a formal point of view, the inscriptions on tombstones are also a kind of cultural inheritance, showing China's extensive and profound Chinese character culture. Each word has its own specific meaning, condensed and condensed.
From an emotional point of view, although the inscriptions on the tombstones are relatively short, they show the long road of life, express full of human feelings, and reveal the love of the living for the dead. of grief and memories.
The inscription expresses the philosophy of the world. Beyond the inscriptions, they are full of the true meaning of life!