Like the traditional matchmaker, the geomancer is respected for his wisdom and experience in life. Some similarities between the jobs of the matchmaker and geomancer are those of which they both check the social statuses of their clients. The matchmaker has to make sure that he does not match a rich young lady to a poor young man, and the geomancer has to make sure that he picks a gravesite that is affordable to the family. The matchmaker and the geomancer also have to ensure that the matches and graves that they choose will only bring good luck to the families and not bad luck. Calculating the ages of the people involved and comparing to the stars of the sky does this: astrology. In foreign countries like France and Spain, during funerals the undertakers, mourners, and pallbearers are supposed to wear black. The black clothing shows their grief and also protects them from evil spirits and ghosts that night be hovering nearby. Also used during funeral processions are wreaths, which reflect their heathen beliefs. The many circles of a wreath are designed to keep the spirit of the dead with in bounds.5 During Chinese funerals, the mourners are supposed to wear unbleached, unhemmed, white clothing. White was considered the color of death to the Chinese people because they believe that white represents pureness. They believed that since the dead were moving on, they should wear something reflecting innocence to show how the deceased had lead a life of good deeds and charity, therefore moving on to a better place. It is an offense to wear such flashy colors as red, yellow, or green. 6 Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism influence Chinese attitudes towards death. The Chinese tradition usually discourages anxiety about death. Since Taoism is rigidly aligned with nature, death is considered a natural part of the life cycle. Confucianism taught the people that showing grief after death was appropriate.
