Chinese tradition accords great significance to the seventh day after death, as the whole country mourns those who lost their lives in the magnitude-7 earthquake.

Saturday marked the touqi, or "first seven" days after the magnitude-7 earthquake hit Lushan county, Sichuan province, on April 20. According to Chinese tradition, the seventh day after a death is the height of the mourning period. The custom related to "first seven" differs in different regions. Chinese generally believe that the souls of the dead return home on this day, before heading to the underworld, drinking the waters of Lethe and forgetting everything about their former lives. The family members of the dead usually prepare a meal for the departed soul and go to bed with the lights off. The earthquake has caused heavy loss of life and property. Relief work is underway, with the government planning reconstruction. There has also been domestic and international support and help.

(China Daily 04/28/2013 page6)