Why Did Ancestors Advise Against Marrying Someone from the Same Clan?
The main reason stems from the importance of lineage in feudal society. Each clan maintained a detailed genealogy recording their ancestors and origins. Two people from the same clan often shared a common ancestor, leading to a close blood relationship.
According to modern science, consanguineous marriages can pose serious health risks to offspring, even leading to infertility. Therefore, avoiding marriage with someone from the same clan was seen as a way to protect the health and well-being of future generations, while also adhering to the principle of eugenics valued by ancestors.
The importance of lineage in feudal society
Additionally, marrying someone from the same clan could lead to disputes over family interests, affecting long-term harmony and stability. Everyone desires a peaceful married life, free from internal strife. Choosing a life partner from a different clan allows couples to complement, understand, and support each other, building a stronger and more solid relationship.
What About the Advice Against Marrying Someone from the Same Hometown?
In the context of ancient society, transportation was limited, and long-distance travel was challenging. Although marrying someone from a nearby area could make it convenient to visit parents, ancestors had other concerns.
In a closed communal village setting, where everyone knew each other and had kinship or close ties, a woman marrying someone from the same hometown could lead to unwanted complications. She might become the center of comparisons, gossip, or even malicious rumors.
Limited transportation and long-distance travel challenges in ancient times
Overfamiliarity can sometimes be a double-edged sword, giving rise to conflicts and disharmony in married life. Thus, the advice against marrying someone from the same hometown was a reminder for women to carefully consider their choice of spouse, avoiding entanglements due to overlapping relationships within the local community.
However, not everyone regarded this advice as an absolute truth. For some, marrying someone from the same hometown might lack novelty, but it offers a sense of security and stability. They find happiness in simplicity and warmth rather than craving novel experiences or adventures.
Today, society has evolved, and so have the perceptions of marriage. Modern individuals have the freedom to pursue and define happiness in their own way. As long as basic moral principles are upheld, such as avoiding consanguineous marriages, even same-sex marriages are now accepted as normal in society.
Hence, understanding the profound meaning behind our ancestors’ teachings is essential. However, when applying these teachings to modern life, we should remain flexible and make adjustments as needed. Ultimately, happiness is for each individual to define and hold onto in their own unique way.
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