Basic concepts of life and death

The birth class is also called Shouyu and Shoufen. Choose a place with good feng shui, thinking that it will benefit future generations after death and build it on an auspicious day. Sacrifice to the mountain god or the land god before breaking ground, and then start digging. Buildings vary in size and shape. Generally speaking, tombs are made of bricks or embedded with stones, covered with large slates, and then made of earth into minarets. There are one or three front seats, the middle of which is higher than the wings, engraved with the owner's name, spouse's surname and construction date. The inscription pays attention to the number of words, and it should be calculated repeatedly with the words "old, sick and dead", and the last word must fall on the word "life" to show good luck. The tomb built in the Qing Dynasty must have the word "Qing" on the first line. "Shouyu" (some titles) is painted with red paint to show the airspace, and it will be changed to black after entering the coffin. There are two "Shou" bricks, two teapots, two oil bottles (called "Shou You") and several copper coins in this area. On the left is the male domain, and on the right is the female domain. The stone tablets on the two wings are engraved with patterns and couplets. The contents of the couplets express the wishes of the tomb owner, such as "not seeking gold and jade, but looking forward to the wisdom of the son and grandson."

The tomb of the rich family covers a large area and is beautifully built. The tomb seal is surrounded by curved headstones, which are round and beautiful.

The official tomb is more magnificent. The most striking thing is the stone statue in front of the tombstone, commonly known as the stone man and stone horse. Filial piety ranks first, followed by Shi Hu, Shima, Shishi and Shiren, which respectively represent the basic moral standards of Confucian culture in China: loyalty, filial piety, chastity, righteousness and courage. According to the funeral system of officials in the Ming Dynasty, first-class and second-class officials have the right to set up a Chinese table in front of the tomb.