Do’s & Don’ts on Winter Solstice Day (冬至之禁忌)

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Finally got the time to do some posting. Due to tight & busy schedule, I have somehow neglected my posting, hope that you all wont mind.

Today, I will post something on the Do’s & Don’ts of Winter Solstice Day aka Dong Zhi (冬至).

Even though Dong Zhi is considered “Over”, but some of the Do’s & Don’ts still take place for another 2 Days (total of 3 Days). These are Taboos that our Ancestors & Fore-fathers pass-down to us for being a better Person.

So here they go:

1 On the Eve, Actual Day & 1 Day after Dong Zhi, house must be kept clean and brightly lit. Cos on these 3 Days, Deities & Ancestors will visit our Homes and “Grade us” accordingly

2 Incenses must be Offered consistently in the Morning, Afternoon & Evening time

3 Before Honouring Deities & Ancestors, Oneself must be Cleaned (showered/wash-up) and Clothing must be Neat/Clean

4 While the Tang Yuan (湯圓) aka Sweet Dumplings were being Offered to the Deities & Ancestors, they must be Hot & Fresh

5 Do not Scold or Reprimand anyone on these 3 Days, especially Children under Lunar Age 18. Reason for this will be – the Parent of the Child that get scolded will have Misfortune for 3 years & Grandparent will be cursed with Illnesses (父母三年衰,祖輩病來纏)

6 Do not Shout & Scream in front of the Altar during these 3 Days. This will bring Mis-fortune to the Family and also, adding on to the Bad Credit of Oneself

7 Do not hang any Clothing outside for Drying during Dong Zhi. Cos this is the Day where the Energies change and for those who are Weak, the Coldness that stuck onto the Clothing will caused them to get sick easier. And if it’s Rain on the Dong Zhi, it will stretch the Coldness to the 1st Day of Lunar New Year and so, the Illness will be brought forward to the next New Year

8 Do not prepared Tang Yuan if someone, who are Closely related in the Family, had Pass-on and the Mourning Period has yet to reach 100 Days. In the Ancient Era, Chinese believed that, by performing the rounding of the Tang Yuan, it would be the same as digging out the Eyes of the Pass-on. In-order to avoid such Dis-respect, Chinese tend not to prepare Tang Yuan during the Mourning Period

9 Do not speak Bad Issues of the others as this will bring Mishap to the others for the next 49 Days and also, once the Person’s 49 Days’ Period is over, the Person who speak Bad about others will get the Punishment for 49 Days

10 If possible, do Chanting of Scriptures in front of the Deities & Ancestors. This is to gain Self Cultivation Merits and also Requesting of Blessing for the Country, Family & All People that you know

Last of All, advises to ALL. Do whatever you can and do not force yourself beyond the Tolerance Point. Sincerity & Faithfulness count and not the Amount & Money count. Once Oneself is always remaining Good, whenever you go, Deities & Ancestors will be there to protect on you.

Chinese has a saying:

無悲無喜大自然。 Wu Bei Wu Xi Da Zi Ran
勿憎勿怒大丈夫。 Wu Zeng Wu Nu Da Zhang Fu
修得一身好氣量。Xiu De Yi Shen Hao Qi Liang
萬人尊敬真功夫。Wan Ren Zun Jing Zhen Gong Fu