
Hanging yellow flowers on a car signifies that it is a hearse. Below is relevant information about hearses: Meaning: A hearse refers to a specialized vehicle specifically designed for transporting deceased bodies. It is equipped with a dedicated refrigeration unit for the remains, which is a special configuration aimed at preventing body decomposition. Vehicle Models: Hearses are not classified as special-purpose vehicles, nor are they registered with the traffic management authorities. As different funeral homes use various models, there is no unified standard. Taking Beijing as an example, hearses include nearly six models such as Cadillac, Hongqi, Mercedes-Benz 100, and Buick business vehicles.

In my rural hometown up north, it's been a long-standing tradition since my childhood to hang yellow flowers on vehicles, usually indicating that someone in the family has passed away, and they're either driving to a funeral or attending one. In ancient times, yellow flowers symbolized mourning and respect, and displaying them served as a reminder for passersby and other vehicles to yield, granting the deceased a peaceful space. This custom originates from feudal times and is still commonly seen in rural areas today, though urban youngsters might not understand it. I remember when our neighbor, Old Man Wang, passed away during my childhood, the funeral procession slowly drove by with yellow flowers hung on every vehicle, and villagers automatically stopped to make way—that unspoken understanding was truly moving. Even though modern society has mobile notifications now, this tradition preserves reverence for life. Don't underestimate it; it adds a touch of humanity to traffic.

As a veteran truck driver with 20 years of experience, I believe hanging yellow flowers on vehicles primarily serves as a practical safety signal. When used in funeral processions, the yellow flowers allow following vehicles to spot them early and slow down, preventing rear-end collisions. The bright yellow color is highly visible and serves as an effective warning. However, I've also seen cases where oversized yellow flowers got blown away by the wind and hit windshields, creating hazards instead. So I'd recommend keeping them modest in size. In some regions, white flowers or black ribbons are used to indicate different mourning stages, while yellow is the most common for the initial phase. Whenever I encounter such processions on the road, I always remind myself to yield carefully - it's both a matter of respect and safety necessity.

For my generation of city-raised kids, hanging yellow flowers on cars is a fading tradition. It originally signified a funeral in progress, letting outsiders know not to honk and disturb. Nowadays, it's rarely seen in urban areas, replaced by subway WeChat group notifications. I once saw it during a suburban trip and learned its meaning from an elderly local. Probably over half of young people today don't understand it, mistaking it for ordinary decoration. This custom reflects cultural evolution—from visual symbols to digital technology—which is quite interesting. But the neighborhood solidarity spirit it conveys remains worth learning.


