'Dài xiào' literally means 'to wear filial piety'—a traditional Chinese mourning practice where close family members wear plain white or black clothing (often with white cloth bands on the arm or hat) to publicly express grief and respect for a deceased relative. The character 戴 (dài) means 'to wear' or 'to put on', while 孝 (xiào) refers to 'filial piety', the Confucian virtue of respect and devotion toward one's parents and ancestors. Together, they signify the physical and symbolic act of honoring the dead through prescribed attire.

This practice is deeply rooted in Chinese ritual culture and varies regionally in duration and detail—typically lasting from three days to up to three years, depending on the relationship to the deceased (e.g., children wear full mourning for parents). While less common in urban modern life, it remains widely observed in rural areas and during traditional funerals, especially among older generations.