During the Lunar New Year, families across China gather for reunions. In Zhumadian City, Henan Province, a grand family New Year ceremony warmed countless hearts. Nearly a hundred descendants of the Cai family in Yangbu Town, Pingyu County, gathered together on the first day of the new year to kowtow and pay their respects to their 104-year-old matriarch, Madam Cai Pan, creating a lively scene that highlighted the family’s cohesion.
This centenarian, Madam Cai Pan, born in 1921, devoted her life to raising seven children with great hardship. Now, her eldest daughter is already 83 years old, and her youngest son, Cai Deliang, is also over sixty. In the New Year greetings video, the five generations of the Cai family, from white-haired elders to infants in swaddling clothes, paid their respects in an orderly fashion according to seniority, sincerely performing the kneeling ceremony to show their respect and extend their New Year's blessings to the elder.
As Cai Deliang smiled and adjusted his mother’s scarf, he said: “My mother is 104 years old this year, and she is still in good health. It’s all thanks to her living a disciplined life all her years.” Neighbors and friends who came to offer congratulations also said that a centenarian with five generations under one roof is not only a rarity in the village but also a role model for everyone.
This heartwarming scene, once shared, touched countless netizens. Many left comments wishing the elderly lady good health. One popular comment sighed: “The greatest blessing in life is perhaps being able to still call someone ‘mom’ at the age of 83.”
A Traditional Chinese Medicine Family’s Longevity Secrets
As a family with a heritage in traditional Chinese medicine, Madam Cai Pan’s longevity is attributed to both family tradition and wisdom in wellness. The core lies in adhering to principles from the Huangdi Neijing: ‘following the laws of yin and yang, being harmonious with techniques and numbers, moderation in diet, and adherence to regular routines’— respecting the natural order, maintaining regular habits, and practicing dietary restraint.