冥婚 mínghūn (afterlife marriage) [lj tag fixed. sigh I wish I still had a preview function :( ]

[koalathebear]

I started watching the Bones episode The Bride in the River and they touched on a strange Chinese custom that I had never heard of before - but which rather grossed me out at the same time it intrigued me. I haven't finished watching the episode yet but had to look it up

Comments

[nutmeg3]

I thought that custom was really fascinatng, a much more romantic and personal version of the Egyptian custom of sending the wealthy off with their servants.

[koalathebear]

I had a very long talk with my colleague about it at lunchtime. I love it how she's willing to talk to me about it. Death is usually a taboo topic for Chinese, but she was very helpful - even called her mother back in her home village for consultation ;)