Introduction
The Qingming
Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day in English, is a traditional Chinese
festival on the first day of the fifth solar term of the traditional Chinese
lunisolar calendar. Qingming Festival literally means Pure Brightness Festival.
The name suggests a time for people to go outside and enjoy the greenery of springtime.
From that date temperatures begin to rise and rainfall increases, indicating
that it is the crucial time for plowing and sowing in the spring. The festival
therefore has a close relationship with agriculture. However, it is not only a
seasonal symbol; it is also a day of paying respect to the dead, a spring
outing, and other activities.
Origin
It is said that
the Qingming Festival was originally held to commemorate a loyal man living in
the Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 BC), named Jie Zitui. Jie cut a piece
of meat from his own leg in order to save his hungry lord who was forced to go
into exile when the crown was in jeopardy. The lord came back to his position
nineteen years later, and forgot Jie Zitui but later felt ashamed and decided
to reward him. However, Jie had blocked himself up in a mountain with his
mother. In order to find Jie, the lord ordered that the mountain should be set
on fire. Later Jie was found dead with his mother. In order to commemorate Jie,
the lord ordered that the day Jie died was Hanshi (Cold Food) Festival - the
day that only cold food could be eaten.
The second year,
when the lord went to the mountain to sacrifice to Jie, he found willows
revived, so he gave instructions that the day after Hanshi Festival was to be
Qingming Festival. Later, the two festivals were combined as one.
Traditional Customs
Qingming Festival
is a time of many different activities, among which the main ones are tomb
sweeping, taking a spring outing, and flying kites. Some other lost customs
like wearing willow branches on the head and riding on swings have added
infinite joy in past days. It is a combination of sadness and happiness.
Tomb Sweeping
Tomb sweeping is
regarded as the most important custom in the Qingming Festival from which the
name of Tomb-sweeping day is got. Cleaning the tomb and paying respect to the
dead person with offerings are the two important parts of remembering the past
relatives. Weeds around the tomb are cleared away and fresh soil is added to
show care of the dead. The dead person's favourite food and wine are taken to
sacrifice to them, along with paper resembling money. This is all burned in the
hope that the deceased are not lacking food and money. Kowtow before the
tablets set up for the dead are made.
Today, with
cremation taking over from burying, the custom has been extremely simplified in
cities. Only flowers are presented to the dead relatives and revolutionary
martyrs. No matter how respect is shown, good prayers for the deceased are
expressed.
Spring Outing
Not only is it a
day for commemorating the dead, is it also a time for people to enjoy
themselves. During March, everything in nature takes on a new look, as trees
turn green, flowers blossom, and the sun shines brightly. It is a fine time to
go out and to appreciate the beautiful scenes of nature. This custom can be
traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) and followed by each dynasty later
till today. So visitors can be seen everywhere during the month of the
festival.
Flying Kites
Flying kites is an
activity favored by many people during the Qingming Festival. Kites are not
only flown during the day time but also in the evening. Little lanterns are
tied to the kite or to the string that holds the kite. And when the kite is
flying in the sky, the lanterns look like twinkling stars that add unique
scenery to the sky during the night. What makes flying kites during this day special
is that people cut the string while the kite is in the sky to let it fly free.
It is said this brings good luck and that diseases can be eliminated by doing
this.
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