Such traditions are still followed in different parts of the world, which have been going on for centuries. Their purpose is often to give peace to the souls of their loved ones and protect the family. But sometimes when these rituals are associated with health risks, they can become a serious threat. An incident that came to light from the eastern part of China has forced people to think whether it is right to follow every tradition without thinking.
According to the South China Morning Post, a man in his 60s, identified as Chen, who lived in a remote area of China’s Zhejiang province, fell seriously ill after his mother’s death. His mother was 86 years old and was completely healthy. She used to work in the fields every day and was living an active life. But suddenly his health deteriorated. He complained of severe diarrhea and vomiting and died within a short time. Chen was deeply shocked by this sudden death.
Decision to follow village tradition
After his mother’s death, Chen decided to follow an old tradition of his village. As part of this ritual, he started sleeping on his mother’s bed for several days. In some areas of Zhejiang, this tradition is called “ghost bed burial.” According to local beliefs, this ritual is performed for about 35 days after someone’s death. It is believed that this brings peace to the dead soul and it gradually completes its journey to the afterlife. In this tradition, every seven days is considered a special stage, which shows the next stage of the soul.
Why is number seven special?
The number seven is considered very important in Chinese funeral traditions. It is considered a symbol of change, completion and the beginning of a new cycle. For this reason many rituals are performed at an interval of seven days. This tradition is also linked to ancient ancestor worship. In this, family members burn paper money, perform puja and organize memorial ceremonies, so that the ancestors protect the living family.
Chen’s health deteriorated on the tenth day
On the tenth day of sleeping on his mother’s bed, Chen started feeling weak. After this he started having muscle pain and then started complaining of diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms were exactly the same as his mother had before her death. When Chen’s health deteriorated, he was taken to the hospital, where doctors, after examination, told him that he had a tick-borne virus infection. This virus can cause fever, stomach problems and in severe cases, immune system failure and damage to organs.
How did the infection spread?
According to SCMP, doctors say that Chen’s mother got this infection from a tick bite. Later, when Chen slept on the same bed after his death, he contracted the same virus after coming in contact with the remains. Due to timely treatment, Chen’s condition gradually started improving. Doctors described this incident as a warning that it is very important to take care of health and hygiene while following traditions.
