The Triste "Zin-daon"

The ancestor worship is one of the most important routine ceremonies in traditional Chinese society.It usually takes place in the Ting-tang space(or the hall)of a residence,which sometimes has different characters across different regions.In eastern Zhejiang Province,the construction of this kind of space is unique compared with surrounding regions.They tend to be called Zin-daon(standard dialect of Shaoxing,which means hall for ancestors)there.Based on concrete recordings and analyses on Zin-daon,the research paper will try to make some discussions on various issues.In the first chapter,by telling my own experience in my family,I explain the origin of the research---the declining ancestor worship space has brought me some triste emotion.And then it introduces the object of study and the research background,illustrating the significance of study as well as the methods and tools used in the research.The second chapter tries to preliminarily define the Zin-daon space by distinguishing names in different context and collecting existing written records.Chapter ? firstly limits the range of region,and then analyzes the specific spatial characteristics,based on which I attempt to make a classification on Zin-daon.Also it introduces one of the special regional constructing notions.Chapter IV manages to discuss the origin of this type of ancestor worship space and locate it in history by means of textual research.In Chapter V,Zin-daon space,as a specific type of Ting-tang(hall)space,is compared with other types in the region of Jiangnan.This chapter then discusses the practical functions of Zin-daon(esp.on ritual occasions,for example,funeral).In Chapter VI,I attempt to clarify the difference of ritual activities and regional cultures which are reflected by different types of space,in order to prescribe the limit of a certain geographic border and cultural property of Zin-daon space.Chapter VII shows a series of recordings on what I have seen and heard about changes of ancestor worship space in the field,so as to judge the value of ritual or spiritual space today.The word "triste" in this topic reveals the reality.For most people,the importance of ancestor worship,ritual activities and other related traditions is diminishing today.What has been abandoned and forgotten,is not merely the form of Zin-daon,but also something more valuable and worth to be memorized.