Family Rituals: The Continuation of Memory and Emotional Bonds

While living abroad, I have maintained the habit of performing worship rituals at home. Perhaps it stems from faith, or maybe from habit, but more often than not, I realize that this is not just a religious practice—it is a continuation of memory.

Rituals: A Link Between the Past and Present

Family rituals often serve to maintain emotional bonds among family members through symbolic actions such as prayer, festival celebrations, and family gatherings. They also play a crucial role in passing down values and beliefs. Even though I am far from home, whenever I light incense and prepare offerings in my residence in the UK (as shown in images 1 and 2), images of my mother performing Buddhist rituals at home (as shown in image 3) naturally surface in my mind. These memories do not arise from deliberate recollection but emerge spontaneously, as if an invisible force guides me, prompting me to unconsciously replicate her gestures.

Image 1: Scene of me performing a worship ritual at home in the UK(2024).

Image 2: Documentation of my process of performing a worship ritual at home in the UK (2024).

Image 3: Scene of my mother practicing Buddhist rituals at home (2024).

The Formation of Intergenerational Memory: Imitation and Inheritance

Memory is often shaped through physical practice. When performing these rituals, I instinctively mimic my mother’s hand movements, the arrangement of offerings, and even the tone of my prayers. Although my surroundings have changed, these familiar details give me a profound sense of belonging, as if my mother is somehow present, guiding me. This intangible inheritance is not merely about replicating actions but also about continuing emotions and beliefs, turning rituals into a bridge that transcends time and space.

Image 4: Scene of performing a drawing ritual at home (2024).

Image 5: Documentation of the process of performing a drawing ritual at home (2024).

The Meaning of Rituals: A Connection Beyond Physical Distance

Whether at home or abroad, the significance of family rituals is not diminished by physical separation. On the contrary, in the context of social change, they serve as a means of maintaining cultural identity. Even when far from home, these practices allow us to stay connected to our family and traditions in some form. They are not just personal acts of faith but also the re-enactment and transmission of cultural memory.

Perhaps the true essence of family rituals lies in these seemingly repetitive actions—forming an invisible bridge between the past and the future, allowing memory to endure and emotions to flow.