Why do Chinese so value the rituals in memory of their ancestors? Veneration of ancestors apparently arose from the Chinese people's keen attachment to the family, which extends beyond one's immediate family members to the whole clan, not only those present but also the departed and the ones to come. As far as Chinese are concerned, their presence is but a phase of the genealogical perpetuity. The ancestors started from scratch to establish the family through hardships and troubles, procreated, and passed down their legacies. They deserve to be kept in the commemorative memory of their descendants, who carrying on those legacies, fulfill their life's purpose and are in turn remembered by children of their own. On the other hand,it is a Chinese belief that one's soul remains immortal even after the body perishes. Paying tribute to the ancestors means also praying for their blessing and protection for the living. For these two reasons, Chinese take ancestral worship very seriously, forming and observing the tradition expressed in the phrase"shenzhong zhuiyuan"(handle the funeral and mourning of one's parents with solemnity, and worship the ancestors with piety). In these pious rituals, Chinese people reflect on their origin and existence, as well as pray for a better future. While seeking to examine their own inner selves, they discover their ultimate roots.