How to Write Eulogy Couplets

Author: Li Xuewen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-09-01
Features: The widespread application of couplets makes them familiar to us in daily life. However, the so-called couplets spread by some media, recited by many people, or displayed in many occasions, are actually not couplets or fail to meet the standards of qualified couplets. It is evident that there are quite a number of people who are enthusiastic about but not well-versed in the art of couplets. This is inconsistent with our vast and culturally rich nation, which has long been renowned as a "land of poetry." Yet, couplet books and publications in the book market are incredibly scarce. The publication of this series solves all these difficulties.
What are mourning couplets? Couplets written to mourn the deceased or pay homage to ancestors are called mourning couplets (including eulogies, memorials, and tombstone couplets). Those written for others are called "other mourning couplets," while those written by oneself for oneself are called "self-mourning couplets" (also known as "life-and-death couplets"). Mourning couplets are a category within the culture of mourning. In China, the culture of mourning has existed since the Western Zhou Dynasty, as seen in poems like "Liao E" and "Ge Sheng" included in the Book of Songs.
Mourning couplets are highly targeted, tailored to the deceased's identity, gender, age, occupation, cause of death, and more. The content is best suited for praise, such as highlighting the deceased's achievements in their career or academic accomplishments.