Ancestor Veneration in
East Asia
Avery Smith
World 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-AncestorWorship-in-Japan.html
• “Chinese Ancestor Worship” Accessed August 28, 2011
http://www.religionfacts.com/chinese_religion/practices/ancestor_
worship.htm
• “Japanese Dance – Bon Odori” (2006) Accessed August 29, 2011
http://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