Ancestor Veneration in East Asia

Avery SmithWorld History AP

Mr. Millhouse 8/31/11

What does Ancestor Veneration mean?

Ancestor: One from whom a person is descended and who is usually more remote in the line of descent than a grandparent.

Veneration: a respect or awe inspired by the dignity, wisdom, dedication, or talent of a person.

Ancestor Veneration: (also know as Ancestor Worship) Is the belief that dead family members spirits are around their family and have the ability to influence the future of living relatives.

Chinese At the Funeral

- Necessities are placed in the coffin or burned as sacrifices. After the Funeral

- Daily offerings are made to ensure the deceased family member has a good start to the after life. - Luxuries are placed near the coffin or are burned. - Chinese families then set up a home altar so to continue worshiping the ancestor. This altar is taken down after 49 days.

After Home Altar- Ancestors are believed to live in tablets which display their name and their dates of birth and death. - These tablets are kept in a small shine inside the home or in an ancestral temple. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A_Rl8aQxII

Japanese

Bon - an ancestral ceremony that is considered one of the most important celebrations in Japan. - Family members return to the house of their parents to honor the spirits of the deceased. - Fresh fruits, vegetables, and rice are prepared for the spirits.

Bon Dance- This dance is held to celebrate the spirits, adults and children dance to Japanese folk music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4EGcnahiTs

Bibliography(Information)

• “Ancestor Worship – Ancestor Worship In Japan” Accessed August 29, 2011

http://family.jrank.org/pages/85/Ancestor-Worship-Ancestor-Worship-in-Japan.html

• “Chinese Ancestor Worship” Accessed August 28, 2011http://www.religionfacts.com/chinese_religion/practices/ancestor_worship.htm

• “Japanese Dance – Bon Odori” (2006) Accessed August 29, 2011http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4EGcnahiTs

• Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. “Ancestor “ Accessed August 28, 2011 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ancestor

• Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. “ Veneration” Accessed August 28, 2011 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veneration

• “Mulan – Reflection”(2007). Retrieved August 28, 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A_Rl8aQxII

Bibliography(Images)

• “Ancestor Shrine China” Accessed August 30, 2011

http://www.christianliteratureandliving.com/dec2001/noah1.html • “Bon Dance” Accessed August 30, 2011

http://geog-dance.blogspot.com/2008/09/bon-dancing.html • “China Flag” Accessed August 29, 2011.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/asia/china/flag.shtml • “East Asia Map” Accessed August 29, 2011.

http://nextnavy.com/chinas-navy-hey-lets-not-panic/• “Japanese Flag” Accessed August 29, 2011.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Japan