Known as the 'sacred city' because of the large number of temples Hierapolis was founded in the 2nd Century B.C. and it was also the city where one can see a significant collection of sarcophagi, the plural for sarcophagus or, stone coffins. Do you know what this not so common word means? "Flesh Eaters" ... I kid you not. We walked past an entire avenue of sarcophagi, some were inscribed with the life of the dead and others ornately decorated.
There is a striking similarity between what the Romans did over 2000 years ago, verses what the Chinese did and still do today and that is, ensuring the dead will have access to personal belongings when they enter the nether world. In the local museums we saw the excavated collection of items accompanying the dead. We used to do that but over time the practice has changed to symbolic offerings, in the form of gadgets made by paper for burning, believing the dead will 'take delivery' wherever they might be. I still remember going to funerals as a child, which were elaborate affairs where paper houses, cars, maids, drivers, TVs and of course majong sets were offered. I am afraid this unique industry is dying if not already dead but for those players who survived it is a totally different ball game. Obviously client needs ... both for the dead and the living ... have changed and the product lines must follow. I heard the favorite orders these days are; I-Pads, mobile phones, name brands, sports cars, yachts and even cruise ships.
Further proof of conspicuous consumption, even in our after life.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment