April 5, 2005
China's Tomb-Sweeping Day goes virtual
In China, technology is changing rituals and traditions. News.com reports.
"Chinese citizens burned virtual candles and incense, sent digital flowers and set fire to paper cell phones Tuesday as modern technology changes the way the ancient Qing Ming Tomb-Sweeping Day is celebrated.
"Tomb-Sweeping Day is a traditional holiday when people honor their ancestors and flock to cemeteries, but many young Chinese consider conventional ceremonies like setting off firecrackers, burning real incense and paper and making offerings of food and drink as passe, Xinhua news agency said."
Related article:
-- Cell Phone Users Are Finding God In China, people burn paper effigies of material goods, including mobile phones, to ensure their dead relatives are fairing well in their parallel lives.
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