宗教玄學
Characteristics and Taboos of Qingming 清明節in Macau
As the Qingming Festival 清明節approaches, I’d like to share with you some customs and taboos observed in Macau during this time. Although Macau is small, it preserves its traditions well, especially during Qingming 清明, a day for honouring ancestors.
In Macau, the day of Qingming清明 itself is often called "Zheng Qing, 正清" and visiting graves on that day is known as "Xing Zheng Qing行正清" or colloquially, "Bai Shan拜山" (paying respects at the mountain). This custom is similar to that in Guangdong, but Macau has its own unique features.
First, let's talk about taboos. These are important to note:
- Strictly prohibited behaviours in cemeteries. According to regulations from Direcção dos Serviços de Assuntos de Justiça澳門法務局, setting off firecrackers爆竹, commercial promotions, mobile vending, and begging are all forbidden within public cemeteries. I recall a case last year where someone set off firecrackers in a cemetery, which not only resulted in a fine but also nearly caused a fire. Therefore, it's crucial to follow the rules. Place incense香, candles燭, and joss paper冥鏹 only in the designated burning facilities 化寶設施within the cemetery, and ensure all embers are completely extinguished before leaving.
- Be cautious when bringing ritual items into Macau. Many residents purchase ritual items 祭品from mainland China. Remember: meat products require an import license issued by the IAM市政署
and must pass health inspections; there are also quantity restrictions on flowers and fruits. I know a Mrs. Chan who, last year, tried to bring roast geese into Macau for tomb sweeping 拜山and was stopped by customs, causing quite a hassle.
- Maintain decorum in dress and conduct. It's best to eat vegetarian food on the day of tomb sweeping掃墓. Wear modest, plain-coloured clothing and avoid bright, flashy colours. At the gravesite, avoid making loud noises, running around, and absolutely do not urinate in public. There was a case of a young man who took photos for social media at a cemetery and later suffered from nightmares for several days. Elders would say this was due to disrespect towards the ancestors.
Correct Practices for Tomb Sweeping掃墓 in Cemeteries
Macau's public cemeteries are mainly located at Guia Hill東望洋山, St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery (St. Miguel) 聖味基山, and the Sa Kong Municipal Cemetery in Taipa沙崗市政墳場. When visiting, pay attention to the following:
Choosing the time: It's best to go during the hours of stronger yang energy陽氣, generally between 7 AM and 3 PM. For new graves (within three years), the visit should be before the Qingming 清明date; for older graves, it can be on the day itself or after.
Preparing offerings祭品準備: Traditionally, Macau people bring roast pork燒肉 or a whole suckling pig乳猪, fruits, pastries, wine, etc. For fruits, avoid pears (homophone for "separation"諧音“離”), grapes or other fruits in clusters, and hollow fruits like melons. It's better to choose fruits with auspicious meanings like apples (peace平安), oranges (good fortune吉祥), bananas (completeness), and they should be arranged in odd numbers.
Order of worship: First, clear weeds from the grave and add fresh soil to the mound. Then, arrange the offerings祭品 and light the incense and candles香燭. Remember to first offer incense 奉香to the guardian spirits of the land—the Earth God守護神—and then bow and offer incense to the ancestors. The order of worship should follow seniority: father → mother → eldest son → eldest daughter → second son → second daughter...
The Willow Branch custom插柳習俗: Macau has an interesting tradition where willow branches are sold in Mercado Municipal Almirante Lacerda (also Red Market )area before Qingming清明. Many people buy them to hang over their doorways for protection. When sweeping tombs, they also break off a few fresh, green willow branches to place on the grave, weighing them down with some paper money紙錢, to show others that the family still has descendants.
Points to Note for Worship at Temples
If one cannot return to the mainland or visit the cemetery, many in Macau choose to worship at temples like Kun Iam Temple觀音堂, Lin Fung Temple蓮峰廟, or the Buddhist temple Pou Tai Un功德林. Temple worship differs slightly from cemetery visits:
Placing offerings: Temples usually have fixed altars. Place offerings neatly. Fruits, pastries, and flowers are all suitable. Remember, the number of each offering item should be an odd number, like three apples or five pieces of pastry.
Incense etiquette: Typically, three sticks of incense are offered, representing respect for Heaven天, Earth地, and Ancestors祖先. When inserting the incense, use the left hand (traditionally considered the cleaner hand), and the sticks should stand straight, not leaning.
Sincere prayers: When worshipping, be mindful and grateful. You can silently update your ancestors on recent events and express your remembrance. Avoid praying for wealth or personal gain, as this is considered disrespectful to the ancestors.
Eco-awareness: The Macau government now promotes "green worship." Cemitério Municipal de Areia Preta even has Macau's first garden for tree burials. Consider using fresh flowers instead of large amounts of joss paper—it's more environmentally friendly and equally respectful.
I know a Mr. Wu who lives in Taipa. Every Qingming, he takes his whole family to the Sa Kong Municipal Cemetery. He says that although life in Macau is fast-paced, maintaining the Qingming tradition is essential—it's a good opportunity to teach the next generation about filial piety and family values.
Finally, a reminder: after finishing your worship, it's a good practice to burn a few pieces of paper money紙錢 at the entrance or silently chant "Namo Amitabha Buddha南無阿彌陀佛," symbolically letting any negative energy dissipate with the smoke. When you return home, clean the dirt from your shoes and wash the clothes you wore immediately. This allows you to start anew with a fresh and clear energy.
Qingming 清明is not just a festival; it is a vital thread in the continuous fabric of Chinese culture in Macau. Through this tradition, we not only express respect for our ancestors but also reinforce family bonds and pass on virtuous values. Wishing everyone a smooth and peaceful tomb-sweeping visit this Qingming, filled with safety and good fortune!
