On the Custom about Planting Pines and Cypresses in Cemeteries in Ancient China and Its Cultural Connotation of Funeral

The custom of planting pines and cypresses in cemeteries in China has a long history. Archeologists have confirmed that the cell picture on the right side of the funeral carving of the sarcophagus in Han Dynasty in the Gounan Village of Weishan island, Weishan County, Shandong Province is the existing "the earliest picture of pines and cypresses planted in the cemetery" in China. The custom has been continuously developed and perfected in the process practiced by people of past ages. Relying on morality and law, the pines and cypresses planted in cemeteries were well protected and managed in ancient China. Owing to many practical functions such as greening the environment of cemeteries, the pines and cypresses became the first choice and alternative name of the "Tomb Trees" in ancient China. In the long-term practice of Chinese ancestors, the cultural connotation contained in the funeral custom has become increasingly rich. In ancient China, the pines and cypresses planted in the cemeteries not only contained the ancient people's multiple ideas about the world after death, such as the expectation of becoming immortal after death, the hope of eternal soul in cemeteries and the fear of ghost from the underground world, but also demonstrated the family affection of filial sons to the deceased, and also expressed the Filial Piety culture of Confucianism. As a traditional funeral culture which has been inherited for more than 2 000 years, the excellent custom is still upheld by Chinese today.