During the wake, an oil lamp was lit on the altar of the mourning hall, and it was always refueled to prevent it from going out, numbered "ever-burning lamp". Now there are extra-large candles, which can burn continuously for several days, which can reduce the burden of the vigil.
It is believed that the more people watch and stay at the wake, the more glorious the bereavement face will be.
There was a table with a white tablecloth in front of the spirit. There are offerings, incense burners, candlesticks and ever-burning lamps on the table. Before the funeral, this ever-burning lamp must be guarded day and night and cannot be extinguished.
It is said that this lamp is the soul of the dead. It is forbidden to park bodies and coffins in broad daylight. It is said that they are afraid of being controlled by the so-called "sun crystal and moonlight", and they are even more afraid of offending the gods of past dynasties. Therefore, as long as a simple memorial ceremony is held, it is necessary to build a Peng Ling.
In ancient times, people believed that the soul was immortal. They think that death is just that the soul has got rid of the bondage of the body and must have a place to stay. Then the mourning hall appeared. After death, build a mourning shed outside the funeral home, or set up a mourning hall in the hall to let the soul of the deceased rest in peace, which is also a place for relatives and friends to mourn the deceased.
Extended data:
Funeral culture
The funeral culture in China is actually a long process. In primitive society, people are like animals after death, and no one cares. During the clan commune period, the living could not bear to watch the dead body rot, so they covered the dead with firewood and buried them in the wild. This is actually the earliest burial.
When humans began to believe in the existence of souls, they increased the application of funerary objects. Then, firewood was replaced by coffins, and the styles of funerary objects became more and more abundant; After the existence of hierarchy, people began to have religious beliefs.
Funeral ceremonies began to be divided into three or six categories, and the wind of reburial began to prevail. Slave owners used religion to maintain their rule, strongly advocated reburial, and even buried slaves as sacrifices.
Emperor, vassal, doctor, scholar, subaltern and slave all have different ranks in funeral, funeral and sacrifice. With the emergence of folk customs, people have added many mythical colors to funeral culture. Naiheqiao, Wangxiangtai, Tanggu and Evil Dog Village are all products of this period.
Funeral mainly includes eleven parts: funeral ceremony, funeral ceremony, funeral, funeral, funeral, funeral, seven customs, evocation custom and burial period. Each part has its important significance and is an art.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Tang Ling
Baidu encyclopedia-funeral culture