Special services are held on the autumn equinox at temples. It is a time for cleaning family graves and making offerings to the dead. Photo thanks - gonjyouin.com https://chion-in.or.jp

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   Camellia Tea Ceremony (camelliakyoto@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 11-Sep-2024 22:06:33 JST Camellia Tea Ceremony

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   The autumn equinox coincides with the Buddhist observance of 'Shūki Higan-e' (秋季彼岸会), when offerings are made at family graves.

   Because of this the flower has, for many, come to symbolise the afterlife.

   Higan (彼岸) translates as 'Other Shore', a reference to the far shore of the Sanzu River (三途の川 Sanzu-no-kawa/'River of the Three Crossings'). Similar to the River Styx in Greek Mythology, the dead would cross the river to reach the afterlife.

   #Higanbana #彼岸花 #autumn #autumnequinox #Japan