Traditional Chinese Festival - Cold Clothing Festival

The first day of the tenth lunar month marks the Hanyi Festival, or "Cold Clothing Festival," a traditional celebration that embodies the Chinese culture of filial piety. On this day, we "send cold clothing" to our departed loved ones to provide them with warmth, express our deep grief, and pass on the enduring bonds of ancestral affection that have remained unchanged for millennia.

The tenth month arrives, on the very first day, / Families gather to send cold clothing away. / Paying respects to ancestors to ward off the chill, / Filial devotion and honor, passed down with goodwill. —— Folk Rhyme

 

Origins and Cultural Significance of the Hanyi Festival

Historical Roots: From the Zhou Dynasty "La" Sacrifice to the Folk Custom of "Sending Cold Clothing"

The Hanyi Festival has deep historical roots, dating back as far as the Zhou Dynasty. Research indicates that in the Zhou era, the first day of the tenth lunar month was an important "La Sacrifice Day," when grand rituals were held to celebrate the harvest and honor ancestors[1]. This custom is verified by the Confucian classic Book of Rites (Liji) - Monthly Ordinances (Yueling), which details the grandeur of the Zhou Dynasty's La sacrifice: the Emperor would offer sacrifices to the gods of the sun, moon, stars, and elements at the altars, while also sacrificing to five generations of ancestors within the palace gates, using the occasion to reward farmers and announce new work schedules.

By the Qin and Han dynasties, the festival's meaning was further enriched. The Qin Dynasty designated the first day of the tenth lunar month as the beginning of the year, known as the "Qin New Year." Lines from the Classic of Poetry (Shijing)—"The seventh month, the fire star sinks; the ninth month, the clothes are bestowed"—became the ideological basis for the "sending cold clothing" custom[1]. People believed that ancestors in the afterlife also required clothing to ward off the coming winter, leading to the custom of sending them "cold clothing" on the first day of the tenth month.

Taoist Origins: The Special Significance of the "Folk La" Day

Taoism designates five specific days of the year as the "Five La Days," with the first day of the tenth lunar month being the "Folk La" Day [1] [2]. According to the Taoist classic Seven Slips from the Cloudy Satchel (Yunji Qiqian), these five days are when the Five Emperors gather in the heavens to examine the good and evil of humanity, and to determine punishments and bestow blessings[1].

The Imperial Jade Records of the Supreme Tao of the Heavenly Emperor (Tianhuang Zhidao Taiqing Yuce) states clearly: "The first day of the tenth month is named 'Folk La'; on this day, the Five Emperors meet at the Northern Five-Qi Black Heaven."[1] On this day, the Heavenly Emperor of Fengdu North Shade examines ghosts and spirits, reviewing the ancestors of the living and the good and evil deeds of their descendants to determine their respective fates. Therefore, Taoist temples typically hold solemn "Ceremonies for Summoning and Releasing Souls" on this day, aimed at delivering wandering spirits and praying for blessings for the ancestors of the faithful[1] [3].

Core Custom: Burning Paper Clothing to Express Grief

The most core custom of the Hanyi Festival is undoubtedly "sending cold clothing," which involves burning specially crafted paper garments for departed loved ones. These items, known as "spirit clothes," are usually cut from five-colored paper into the styles of men's and women's apparel, measuring about a foot in length. They are often printed with addresses and seals, bearing the name and seniority of the recipient, much like sending a letter[1].

The Ming Dynasty text Records of Scenery in the Imperial Capital (Dijing Jingwulue) records: "On the first day of the tenth month, paper shops cut five-colored paper into men's and women's clothing... every household prepares offerings for the night, calling out to their ancestors as they burn the paper at their doors, which is called 'sending cold clothing'."[1]


The Hanyi Festival and the Culture of Filial Piety

Ancestral Worship as a Manifestation of Filial Piety

As a traditional festival of sacrifice, the Hanyi Festival's core spirit is deeply rooted in the Chinese culture of filial piety. Filial piety, the cornerstone of Confucian ethics, emphasizes the reverence, support, and veneration that children owe their parents. On the Hanyi Festival, honoring ancestors is not just about remembering the dead; it is a concrete practice of filial duty.

As the folk rhyme goes: "The tenth month arrives, on the very first day, / Families gather to send cold clothing away. / Paying respects to ancestors to ward off the chill, / Filial devotion and honor, passed down with goodwill."[1] This rhyme vividly portrays how every family expresses their reverence for their ancestors through the "sending cold clothing" ritual, making it a crucial part of passing down family heritage.

Inheriting Family Values and Remembering One's Roots

The sacrificial activities of the Hanyi Festival are a vital way to pass on family values and never forget one's origins. People believe that a family's prosperity is closely tied to the blessings of their ancestors. As some viewpoints emphasize, honoring parents and ancestors is the "source of good fortune" and the root of a family's blessings[1].

Gratitude and Moving Forward with Warmth

Sacrifice during the Hanyi Festival should not be merely an expression of sadness and grief, but a source of strength that allows us to move forward with gratitude and warmth. While mourning our ancestors, we should also be grateful for everything they created for us[1].

Traditional Customs of the Hanyi Festival

Graveside Worship

Cleaning graves and offering sacrifices is the most direct form of worship. Family members travel to ancestral graves to clear away weeds, place offerings, and burn paper money and spirit clothing[1].

Home Rituals

Respectfully tending to ancestral tablets and offering tributes from afar. This involves placing offerings in front of ancestral tablets at home, lighting incense and candles, and performing rituals[1].

Burning Paper Packets

Putting paper money, clothing, and other items into paper bags and burning them is the modern evolution of the "burning cold clothing" custom[1].


Hanyi Festival Ritual Guide: Sincerity is Key, Details Matter

Ritual Process:

1. Offering Incense: The first stick is offered to invite ancestral predecessors, the second to the master of the tomb, and the third to the local City God and Earth Deity[4].

2. Offerings: Prepare five types of fruits and pastries. Fruits represent the Yin, and pastries represent the Yang, symbolizing harmony between Yin and Yang[4].

3. Burning Paper Clothing: Men's paper attire is typically dominated by dragon motifs, while women's is dominated by phoenixes, though modern styles are also acceptable[4].

 

Important Reminder

It is never advisable to have others cry or worship on your behalf! Ancestral worship requires sincerity and reverence, observing the seven respects: respect in behavior, in speech, in tone, in sequence, in movement, upon approaching the grave, and during the act of worship[4].

 

Guidelines for Graveside Worship

Appearance: Wear modest clothing and maintain a respectful heart. Avoid bright red or green, and refrain from wearing accessories like bells[4].

Conduct: Be solemn and quiet; boisterous behavior is prohibited. Do not speak loudly or look around aimlessly[4].

Procedure: There are protocols for lighting incense, offering fruit, and burning paper. Burn the paper one sheet at a time, and do not poke the fire with a stick[4].

 

Methods for Remote Worship

Preparation: Paper money, paper clothing, incense, candles, fruit (five types), and pastries. Use white candles for those who have passed away within three years, and red candles thereafter[4].

Procedure: Face the direction of the ancestral home and draw a circle at an intersection to burn the paper. The first incense stick is for the City God, the second for the Earth Deity, and the third for the ancestors[4].

Circling Protocol: Draw five circles: for paternal ancestors, maternal ancestors, spouse's ancestors, parents-in-law's ancestors, and wandering spirits (a half-circle)[4].

 

Taboos

Clothing Taboos

  • Avoid bright red and green
  • Avoid wearing bells or wind chimes
  • Avoid overly ostentatious clothing

Behavioral Taboos

  • Do not take photographs at the gravesite
  • Do not shout or play around
  • Do not use a stick to move burning paper

Who Should Avoid Participation

  • Pregnant women should not participate
  • Young children should not participate
  • Those in frail health should not participate


Taoist Rituals and Deliverance Ceremonies for Hanyi Festival

Taoist Emphasis on the Hanyi Festival

Taoism views the Hanyi Festival as the significant "Folk La" Day, one of the five La days. According to the Imperial Jade Records of the Supreme Tao of the Heavenly Emperor: "The first day of the tenth month is named 'Folk La'; on this day, the Five Emperors meet at the Northern Five-Qi Black Heaven."[5] [6]

On this day, the Heavenly Emperor of Fengdu North Shade examines ghosts and spirits, reviewing the ancestors of the living and the good and evil deeds of their descendants to determine their fate. Taoist temples typically hold grand "Ceremonies for Summoning and Releasing Souls" on this day to deliver wandering spirits[7] [5].

Deliverance Ceremonies

Issuing City God Documents: Dispatching official documents to the local City God and Earth Deity to announce the ceremony and request their assistance[4].

Summoning the Departed: Through chanting, mudras, and ritual pacing, the souls of the departed are summoned to the altar to receive deliverance[7] [5].

Spiritual Comfort and Salvation: Settling and delivering the souls, including chanting, prostration, and food offering rituals[8] [9].

Taoist Classics and the Hanyi Festival

Seven Slips from the Cloudy Satchel (Yunji Qiqian): Records that "The first day of the first month is the Heavenly La, the fifth day of the fifth month is the Earthly La, the seventh day of the seventh month is the Moral La, the first day of the tenth month is the Folk La, and the eighth day of the twelfth month is the Sovereign La. All these five La days are suitable for fasting and honoring ancestors."[10] [11]

Imperial Jade Records of the Supreme Tao of the Heavenly Emperor: Details the locations and celestial realms where the Five Emperors gather on different La days, as well as the function of the Heavenly Emperor of Fengdu North Shade in evaluating souls and determining their fate[5] [6].

Other Classics: The Chisongzi Zhangli (Master Red Pine's Liturgy) and the Yaoxiu Keyi Jielüchao (Compendium of Rituals and Precepts) also contain references related to the Hanyi Festival[12] [13].

—> Hanyi Festival Ritual Registration and Consultation

 

Inheriting Filial Piety, Moving Forward with Warmth

The Hanyi Festival is not just a traditional day of sacrifice; it is an important vehicle for Chinese filial culture. On this special day, through the solemn ritual of "sending cold clothing," we express our remembrance and care for our departed loved ones, while upholding the traditional virtue of honoring our roots. Let us carry this warmth with gratitude, passing it down through generations so that the culture of filial piety may shine ever brighter in the new era.

 

Hanyi Festival

Honor our roots and remember our ancestors

Inherit filial piety and promote family values

Worship with sincerity, and your prayers shall be answered


 

 

References

 

 

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