Qingming 2019
Historic Site
The Quimper Hittys live near an important National Historic Site…
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Gate
…where in early April the ceremony of Tomb-Sweeping takes place.
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Hell Money
After the headstones are tidied up, paper money is offered to the ancestors…
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Offerings
…and flowers, oranges too.
Joss sticks are stuck into turnips and into the dirt…
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Joss
…and are also offered unburnt, so the ancestors can enjoy it in heaven…
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Incinerator
Some offerings are burnt in the two incinerator towers.
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Wind
It is a special place, chosen for it’s excellent Feng Shui properties. We are lucky to live nearby so we can learn about this festival…it is also a time to enjoy the spring weather, (though this year our weather has turned chilly again).
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The offerings and traditions at the Chinese cemetery are very interesting. Thank you for sharing them with us.
The Quimper Hittys feel very lucky to live near to such an interesting and special place. Reading about it is fascinating, but standing there next to the altars and offerings is quite an experience.
Have read about many of the ceremonies surrounding cemeteries but this was a new one for me. Thank you for the photos and explanations.
We find the community aspect of the ceremonies really interesting, that people mourn and celebrate together.
I was especially intrigued by the incinerators for offerings…very interesting.
The towers are the most distinctive structure in the cemetery. Min was kind of morbidly fascinated.