What are the rules for visiting graves during the winter solstice? The rituals you must know before visiting graves during the winter solstice

Are there any special requirements for visiting graves during the Winter Solstice? The Winter Solstice is one of China's traditional festivals. There are many rules and taboos when visiting graves during the Winter Solstice. Next, let’s take a look together.

Is there anything special about visiting graves during the winter solstice?

Necessary offerings

Incense, paper money, fruits, snacks, vegetarian wine, rice dumplings, and flowers.
Main purpose: for ancestor worship

Cooked pork, one chicken, duck or goose, and one fish.
Main purpose: Used to worship the God of Land and the Kitchen God.

There are five bowls, each containing five different kinds of cooked food offerings.
Main objects: used to worship the earth god and wandering ghosts.

Grave-visiting time

The time for visiting graves during the Winter Solstice in 2017 is 00:27:53 on December 22, the fifth day of the eleventh month in the lunar calendar of 2017.
Generally speaking, tomb sweeping and sacrificial activities are carried out on the day of the winter solstice. Regarding whether the time for tomb sweeping on the Winter Solstice can be advanced or postponed, if there are no strict regulations in the local area, just choose an auspicious day in advance. From the perspective of Feng Shui, the specific time for the winter solstice sacrifice should not be too early or too late. It is usually carried out between 7 am and 3 pm, because this time period is the time when the Yang energy is relatively strong in the day.

Dress well

When visiting graves to offer sacrifices during the winter solstice, one must dress neatly and simply. Do not wear anything too brightly coloured. Generally, black or white should be the main colours, and one must not wear any flashy jewellery. In addition, it is best to put on light makeup, then tie your hair up and expose your forehead, which will make you look more energetic. In addition, for people who have insufficient yang energy and a weak body, it is recommended to wear some red, such as red underwear, red socks, or a red hat, etc. Because there is heavy yin energy when offering sacrifices at graves during the winter solstice, people follow the rule of using red to ward off evil spirits, and wearing red on your body will help keep yourself safe.