Post by NZBC on Dec 2, 2012 8:49:56 GMT 12
WHAT WE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND, , ,"
CHINESE-AMERICAN DEATH RITUAL IN 19TH-CENCTURY CALIFORNIA
This is it - bare land beneath a tree- 2 plots in a semi circle."
While researching the meaning of an "undisturbed" grave, I came across this paper written by an anthropologist about Chinese cemeteries in California, and thought her description of the shape of the graves were similar to yours. Here is a piece of what she wrote:
"The family considered the shape of the grave as important as the location itself. Sometimes artificial ridges were built along the back and sides of the graves to allow rain water and negative energy to flow away from the grave (DeGroot 1989:19). An omega shaped grave, burled with the head up against the slope of a hill, afforded this type of protection around the tomb.
........ the heads of the deceased were deliberately oriented toward the uphill slope. In this manner, the knoll formed an omega-shaped grave which served as a protective barrier against harsh winds carrying potential evil spirits. Similarly, the feet of the deceased were oriented toward the Auburn Ravine, which flowed in an east/west direction just south of the cemeteries. Geomancers believed that flowing water passing alongside the grave allowed the yin,or negative, energy to pass while absorbing the yang, or positive, energy .
www.scahome.org/publications/proceedings/Proceedings.13Rouse.pdf "
Read more: siyigenealogy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=shared&action=display&thread=1181&page=32#ixzz2DprohiOJ
www.scahome.org/publications/proceedings/Proceedings.13Rouse.pdf
CHINESE-AMERICAN DEATH RITUAL IN 19TH-CENCTURY CALIFORNIA
This is it - bare land beneath a tree- 2 plots in a semi circle."
While researching the meaning of an "undisturbed" grave, I came across this paper written by an anthropologist about Chinese cemeteries in California, and thought her description of the shape of the graves were similar to yours. Here is a piece of what she wrote:
"The family considered the shape of the grave as important as the location itself. Sometimes artificial ridges were built along the back and sides of the graves to allow rain water and negative energy to flow away from the grave (DeGroot 1989:19). An omega shaped grave, burled with the head up against the slope of a hill, afforded this type of protection around the tomb.
........ the heads of the deceased were deliberately oriented toward the uphill slope. In this manner, the knoll formed an omega-shaped grave which served as a protective barrier against harsh winds carrying potential evil spirits. Similarly, the feet of the deceased were oriented toward the Auburn Ravine, which flowed in an east/west direction just south of the cemeteries. Geomancers believed that flowing water passing alongside the grave allowed the yin,or negative, energy to pass while absorbing the yang, or positive, energy .
www.scahome.org/publications/proceedings/Proceedings.13Rouse.pdf "
Read more: siyigenealogy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=shared&action=display&thread=1181&page=32#ixzz2DprohiOJ
www.scahome.org/publications/proceedings/Proceedings.13Rouse.pdf