Proverbs are a treasure trove of wisdom passed down through generations, and some of the most popular ones are deeply rooted in the valuable life experiences of our ancestors. There are proverbs that we can easily understand at first glance, but if we were to express them in our own words, they might not be as concise and profound as the original sayings.
When it comes to the passing of a parent, dutiful children often go to great lengths to ensure their peace and comfort. In the context of filial piety, the meaning of the following proverb becomes clearer.
“Seven days without burying your father, eight days without burying your mother”
In this proverb, “seven” and “eight” refer to specific days of the month. In the old days, rural communities often used the lunar calendar, so “seven” would include the 7th, 17th, and 27th, while “eight” would be the 8th, 18th, and 28th.
According to folk belief, if a father passes away on a day with a “seven,” it is considered inauspicious to hold the funeral at that time. Similarly, if a mother passes away on a day with an “eight,” the burial should be postponed. The elderly hold the view that burying the deceased on these days could bring about difficulties for the family, hence the avoidance of such dates.
“Seven” and “eight” in this proverb refer to specific days of the month.
However, from another perspective, delaying the burial during these days also allows loved ones more time to be with the deceased, reflecting their reluctance to part ways.
This belief is also tied to the concept of Yin and Yang. In this philosophy, men are associated with Yang, and days with a “seven” are often considered to have strong Yang energy. If a father or another male elder in the family passes away on such a day, an imbalance between Yin and Yang could occur, which is believed to bring about unfavorable circumstances.
In contrast, days with an “eight” are seen as having strong Yin energy, while women are inherently Yin. Burying a woman on these days could lead to an excess of Yin energy, potentially affecting the well-being of the family members.
Days with an “eight” are considered to have strong Yin energy.
Additionally, there is another belief that if an elderly man passes away and is buried on a day with a “seven,” his grave may be referred to as a “seven grave.” The pronunciation of “seven” in some dialects sounds similar to “wife’s grave,” which is considered unlucky and potentially harmful to the living wife.
Similarly, if an elderly woman passes away and is buried on a day with an “eight,” it may be called an “eight death.” The pronunciation of “eight death” in certain dialects sounds like “turtle,” which carries negative connotations, leading to its avoidance.
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