Ancestor Worship & Winter Solstice

In December, just before the Winter Solstice, we made a trip to Shanghai's Jade Buddha Temple (Yifo Si) with our friends Brian and Debbie who were visiting from the US. For centuries the Chinese have been celebrating the Winter Solstice - a turn from Yin to Yang as the days get longer - with offerings to Heaven and Ancestors. However, the amount of activity astounded us. The whole temple complex was buzzing with activity.

Debbie and Brian at Jade Buddha Temple.


Crowded main courtyard.


If one has loads of money to honor Heaven and your Ancestors, you can hire monks to parade and chant. You can even put on black robes and process and chant with them(see video below).





Less expensive, one buys silver paper, folds it into the shape of silver bars, puts it in a red box or red bag, and then burns it in urns at the temple. Typically the ancestor's name is written on the outside of the red bag so the money can be "delivered".

It takes a long time to fill up several bags so if you have many ancestors, you bring your folding camp chairs and food to the temple as you will spend the whole day there.







People lined up to burn the red bags of money for their ancestors.


Alternatively, the average Chinese may just come to the temple, and burn incense and pray. This photo from a visit a few days earlier to the City God temple.



Here are some videos.







For more info on China and the Winter Solstice click here.

Finally, here's a photo of one of the two Jade Buddhas at the temple.