When is the right time to sweep the grave?

There are many places in China that pay attention to going to the grave, usually on the anniversary of death, Tomb-Sweeping Day, July 15th, October 1st, New Year's Eve or the third day of the first month of the lunar calendar.

It is best to go to the cemetery (Shi Mao) at 5-7 in the morning, but now people are too lazy to get up early and finally have a holiday. They all want to stay in bed. It is best to finish the grave before 3 pm. If it is later, the spirit of the sun will gradually fade away. If you are unlucky, it is easy to be haunted or harassed by evil spirits.

If it is a new grave buried for more than three years, the first time to sweep the grave is usually an auspicious day in the first ten days of Tomb-Sweeping Day; The second time, you can choose to worship in Tomb-Sweeping Day; For the third time, you can choose an auspicious day ten days after Tomb-Sweeping Day.

If it is an old grave buried for more than three years, you can choose one day within ten days before and after Tomb-Sweeping Day. After the date of grave sweeping is determined, you can choose to worship before the sun comes out.

The custom of Tomb-Sweeping Day

Liushu Street 1

Both Tomb-Sweeping Day and China have the folk custom of inserting willows. There are three theories about the origin of the custom of inserting willows in Qingming. Some experts believe that the custom of inserting willows is to commemorate Shennong, the ancestor of farming who taught people to grow crops. In some places, people put willow branches under the eaves to forecast the weather. As the old saying goes: "The willow branches are green and rainy; The saying that the wicker is dry and the sky is clear.

Step 2 shoot willow trees

Shooting willow is a game to practice archery skills. According to the records of the Ming Dynasty, pigeons were placed in gourds, and then gourds were hung high on willow trees, and the gourds and pigeons flew out, and the victory or defeat was judged according to the height of the flying pigeons.