In China, except for drinking alcohol on auspicious moments, people also drink on some sad moments, such as to show respect to the dead.

In ancient China, when a dead person was buried, some alcohol was usually placed into the tomb. This meant that even the dead went to another world; he or she can still enjoy the fun of drinking.

On Tomb Sweeping Day, there is a custom to bring alcohol and meat to the tombs and graves to pay the memorial esteem to the ancestors. Also this custom exists on the day of the dead person’s birthday and some other important occasions.

On some important festivals, when a family feast is held, the important seats should be kept for the dead ancestors, and the family head has to take a less important seat. The family can enjoy the dishes and alcoholic drinking only after all the dishes and alcoholic drinking for the dead ancestors have firstly been placed, which means they have been tasted by the dead ancestors first.