What kind of winter clothes are given on the Cold Clothes Festival? What are the customs for paying tribute to deceased relatives on the Cold Clothes Festival?

The Cold Clothes Festival is a sacrificial festival unique to the north, and every time this festival comes, people will send winter clothes to their deceased relatives. In addition, the Cold Clothes Festival is also called the Mingyin Festival or the October Morning. So, what kind of winter clothes are given during the Cold Clothes Festival?

What kind of winter clothes are given on the Winter Clothes Festival?

The winter clothes given during the Cold Clothes Festival are all made of paper, which can be paper folded into gold ingots or yellow paper.

It is best to fold the winter clothes by yourself. People who practice Buddhism can recite some scriptures and mantras while folding paper, such as "Nirvana Mantra", "Auspicious Mantra for Eliminating Disasters", "Seven Buddhas' Mantra for Eliminating Sins", "Netherworld Mantra", etc. I pray that our ancestors will be free from suffering and be happy soon. The material can be the paper with folded gold ingots sold in Buddhist supplies stores, or you can use yellow paper. Yuanbao paper is stronger and easier to fold. When cremating, be sure to tell your ancestors, otherwise it will not reach their hands. You can also type a written form, just like the express delivery documents we have today. Forms for sending money are generally sold in Buddhist supply stores.

What are the rules for paying respects to deceased relatives during the Cold Clothes Festival?

The first day of the tenth month of the lunar calendar every year is the Cold Clothes Festival, also known as the "Burning Clothes Festival" and the "Mingyin Festival". Together with Qingming Festival and Zhongyuan Festival, it is known as one of the three major ghost festivals in China. The Cold Clothes Festival has existed since ancient times. According to research, as early as the Zhou Dynasty, the first day of the tenth month of the lunar calendar was the La Festival, and grand sacrificial activities were held. On this day, the emperor led the three dukes and nine ministers to the northern suburbs to hold a winter welcoming ceremony. After the ceremony, they returned to reward those who died for the country and provide relief to their wives and children. How could the dead be rewarded? So they were given “winter clothes”, and this became a custom that was followed by others.

However, when sending winter clothes, you must be careful to make sure that all clothes, paper money, etc. that are burned are burned thoroughly and turned into ashes. Generally, a small stick is used to stir the mixture until there are no more sparks. It is said that only when they are completely burned and turned into ashes can these banknotes and clothes be used in the underworld. If it is not completely burned, it is useless for the deceased to hold it.