CharacteristicsandTaboosofQingming清明節inMacau(1)
2026-04-03 02:24阅读：
Characteristics and Taboos of
Qingming 清明節in
Macau(1)
As the Qingming Festival
清明節approaches,
I’d like to
share with you some customs and taboos observed in Macau during
this time. Although Macau is small, it preserves its traditions
well, especially during Qingming 清明, a day for honouring
ancestors.
r> In Macau, the day of
Qingming清明 itself is often called 'Zheng Qing, 正清' and visiting graves on that
day is known as 'Xing Zheng Qing行正清' or colloquially, 'Bai
Shan拜山' (paying
respects at the mountain). This custom is similar to that in
Guangdong, but Macau has its own unique
features.
First, let's talk about taboos. These
are important to note:
1. Strictly prohibited behaviours in
cemeteries. According to regulations from Direcção dos Serviços de
Assuntos de Justiça澳門法務局, setting off firecrackers爆竹, commercial promotions, mobile
vending, and begging are all forbidden within public cemeteries. I
recall a case last year where someone set off firecrackers in a
cemetery, which not only resulted in a fine but also nearly caused
a fire. Therefore, it's crucial to follow the rules. Place
incense香,
candles燭, and
joss paper冥鏹 only in the designated burning facilities
化寶設施within the
cemetery, and ensure all embers are completely extinguished before
leaving.
2. Be cautious when bringing ritual
items into Macau. Many residents purchase ritual items
祭品from mainland China.
Remember: meat products require an import license issued by the
IAM市政署
and must pass health inspections; there
are also quantity restrictions on flowers and fruits. I know a Mrs.
Chan who, last year, tried to bring roast geese into Macau for tomb
sweeping 拜山and
was stopped by customs, causing quite a hassle.
3. Maintain decorum in dress and
conduct. It's best to eat vegetarian food on the day of tomb
sweeping掃墓. Wear
modest, plain-coloured clothing and avoid bright, flashy colours.
At the gravesite, avoid making loud noises, running around, and
absolutely do not urinate in public. There was a case of a young
man who took photos for social media at a cemetery and later
suffered from nightmares for several days. Elders would say this
was due to disrespect towards the ancestors.
Correct Practices for Tomb
Sweeping掃墓 in
Cemeteries
Macau's public cemeteries are mainly
located at Guia Hill東望洋山, St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery (St. Miguel)
聖味基山, and the Sa Kong
Municipal Cemetery in Taipa沙崗市政墳場. When visiting, pay
attention to the following:
Choosing the time: It's best to go
during the hours of stronger yang energy陽氣, generally between 7 AM and 3
PM. For new graves (within three years), the visit should be before
the Qingming 清明date; for older graves, it can be on the day itself or
after.
Preparing offerings祭品準備: Traditionally, Macau people
bring roast pork燒肉 or a whole suckling pig乳猪, fruits, pastries, wine, etc.
For fruits, avoid pears (homophone for
'separation'諧音“離”), grapes or other fruits in clusters, and hollow fruits
like melons. It's better to choose fruits with auspicious meanings
like apples (peace平安), oranges (good fortune吉祥), bananas (completeness), and
they should be arranged in odd numbers.
Order of worship: First, clear weeds
from the grave and add fresh soil to the mound. Then, arrange the
offerings祭品 and
light the incense and candles香燭. Remember to first offer
incense 奉香to the
guardian spirits of the land—the Earth God守護神—and then bow and offer incense
to the ancestors. The order of worship should follow seniority:
father → mother → eldest son → eldest daughter →
second son →
second daughter...
The Willow Branch
custom插柳習俗:
Macau has an interesting tradition where willow branches are sold
in Mercado Municipal Almirante Lacerda (also Red Market )area
before Qingming清明. Many people buy them to hang over their doorways for
protection. When sweeping tombs, they also break off a few fresh,
green willow branches to place on the grave, weighing them down
with some paper money紙錢, to show others that the family still has
descendants.
