The day normally starts early in the morning by paying respect to distant ancestors from China at home altars. This is followed by visiting the graves of close relatives. Traditionally, the family will burn spirit money and paper replicas of material goods such as cars, homes, phones and paper clothing. In Chinese culture, it is believed that people still need all of those things in the afterlife. The family members take turns to bow three to nine times before the grave of the ancestors. The bowing ritual in front of the grave is performed in the order of seniority within the family. After the worship at the grave site, the family feast on the food and drink they brought for the worship signifying family reunion with the ancestors.
The Joss shops I visited were very busy preparing orders for the festival and many customers were picking the right outfits made out of paper for their loved ones.
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Paper money for burning |
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Paper beer cans |
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Paper soft drink cans |
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Paper clothing |
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Paper accessories |
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A paper rice cooker |
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Paper phones and game consoles |
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Paper food - duck, chicken and pork |
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Paper skin care |
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Paper whisky bottles |
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Paper shirts |
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Paper boxes to hold the offerings |
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A paper house |
