How to deal with the sails of the grave

After the deceased is buried, the grave sail will be inserted on the grave until it goes with the wind. Tomb sail is also called coffin (fān). According to the traditional custom, children should prepare coffins for the elderly after their death, so that the deceased can go to the road of death smoothly.

Soul-guiding coffin is a kind of vertical flag, which is propped up with a long bamboo pole at the funeral and placed next to the body until the funeral of the deceased. At the funeral, the eldest son or grandson usually carries the coffin and walks at the front of the funeral procession. When holding the coffin, its pole leans against the chest, and the coffin passes overhead and is finally inserted in the tomb.

The Origin of Tomb Sail (Soul Compass)

The traditional custom of inducing spirits comes from people's belief that after death, the soul will not go with the body, but will wander in a familiar place. In this case, people will not be able to reach the underworld smoothly. Therefore, people have come up with and designed a guide coffin to control the soul of the deceased, so that the soul can be buried in the grave with the body or sent to the paradise in people's minds.

In traditional customs, people who beat the elderly are also particular. If the deceased has more than one son, then the person who beat the old man is the eldest son. If the eldest son dies, the eldest grandson will carry the pole for him. If the deceased has no son, the daughter carries the pole for him. If the deceased has no children, they can be replaced by nephews or other relatives. According to the old people in the village, whoever fights for the dead will inherit the legacy of the dead, so it is more important to choose the person who fights for the dead after the old man dies.