ARTICLES
Cantonese Son-in-law banner – also known as ‘Ming Jing’ and ‘Ling zhao’ | 广东女婿旐 – 又名‘铭旌‘ 和 ’灵旐‘
What is a son-in-law banner? “Son-in-law” banner is a banner used in a ritual at the Cantonese funeral ceremony in which the son-in-law pays the last respect to the deceased [...]
Celebrating the Lunar Chinese New Year | 过新年
"Celebrating the Lunar Chinese New Year" - Worshipping the Deities and Ancestors "Lunar Chinese New Year" is the most important festival for the Chinese. Traditionally, believers who have deities [...]
The Origin of DingKouQian (known as KouHan in the olden days) | “掟口钱”的由来 (古时代称为口含)
What is DingKouQian? Why do you want to put DingKouQian? Is this a Taoism practice?This does not originate from Taoism. DingKouQian or KouHan is one of the ancient customs of [...]
“Shou Wei Qian” | 手尾钱
“Shou Wei Qian” is the money held in the hands of the deceased. It symbolizes the last wealth left by the deceased for the family members. This has been a [...]
Scattered Coins | 散花钱的意思和用途
Flowers and coins are two necessities in the scattered flower rituals. The coins will be placed together with the flowers on the tray during the prayers. After the chanting, [...]
Scattered Flowers | 散花
In the past, many Cantonese speaking elderly would stay behind at the funeral wake to wait for Taoist priest to perform the last ritual – Scattered Flowers. In this [...]
Sea Burial | 海葬
Chinese funeral customs in the 1950s and 1960s, family members usually chose to perform cremation or burial ceremonies for the dead. Believers usually choose the burial ceremony because the [...]
To honour a promise to God on behalf of the deceased | 替往生者还愿
In life, when we make a promise to somebody, we have to honour our promises no matter what or how. Only when a promise is honour then we can [...]
Shift-in Ceremony in the netherworld | 阴宅入伙
In the Cantonese Taoist Dazhai customary rituals, there are also shift-in rituals for the deceased to enter into their house in the netherworld. Believers believe that [...]