Introduction

Qingming Festival (also known as Tomb-sweeping Day)（清明节qīng míng jié）, which falls on either April 4th or 5th of the gregorian calendar（阳历yáng lì）, is one of the Chinese Twenty-four Solar Terms（二十四节气èr shí sì jié qì）. From that date temperatures begin to rise and rainfall increases, indicating that it's the important time for plowing and sowing in the spring. Therefore Qingming Festival has a connection with agriculture. However, it is not merely a seasonal symbol; it is also one day of paying respect to the dead, a spring outing, as well as other activities.

Origin

Qingming Festival is when Chinese folks pay a visit to the graves or burial grounds of their ancestors. Traditionally, individuals brought an entire rooster with them on the graves visited, however, the event is now significantly less formal over time. The festival originated from Hanshi Day（寒食日hán shí rì）, literally, Day with cold food only, a memorial day for Jie Zitui（介子推jiè zǐ tuī）. Jie Zitui died in 636 BC in the Spring and Autumn Period（春秋时期chūn qiū shí qī）. He was one of several followers of Duke Wen of Jin（晋文公jìn wén gōng） before becoming a duke. Once, when Wen was 19 years old, they had no meals and Jie gave some meat soup to Wen. Wen loved so much and wondered where exactly Jie had obtained the soup. It turned out Jie had cut a piece of meat from his very own thigh to cook the soup. Wen was so moved he promised to reward him one day. But Jie was not the sort of individual who sought rewards. As a matter of fact, he just wished to assist Wen to return Jin to become king. After Wen become duke, Jie resigned and stayed away from him. Duke Wen rewarded the people who helped him during the decades, but for some reason he forgot to reward Jie, who by then had moved to the forest with his mother. Duke Wen went to the forest, but could not find Jie. Adopting ideas from his subordinate, Duke Wen set the men to the forest on fire to force out Jie. Nevertheless, Jie died in the fire. Feeling remorseful, Duke Wen ordered 3 days without having fire to honour Jie's memory. The city in which Jie died continues to be referred to as Jiexiu（介休jiè xiū）.

Qingming features a tradition stretching back a lot more than 2,500 years. Its origin is credited to the Tang Emperor Xuanzong（唐玄宗táng xuán zōng） in 732. Wealthy citizens in China were reportedly holding too several extravagant and ostentatiously pricey ceremonies in honor of their ancestors. Emperor Xuanzong, searching for to curb this practice, declared that respects might be formally paid at ancestors' graves only on Qingming. The observance of Qingming discovered a firm spot in Chinese culture and continued since Ancient China.

Classic Customs

There are many different activities in Qingming Festival, between which the main ones are tomb sweeping, taking a spring outing. Some other lost customs like wearing willow branches around the head and riding on swings have extra infinite joy in past days. The festival is really a combination of sadness and happiness.

Tomb Sweeping

Tomb sweeping（扫墓sǎo mù） is regarded as the most critical custom in the Qingming Festival from which the title of Tomb-sweeping day is got. Cleaning the tomb and paying respect to the dead person with offerings will be the two critical components 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 foods and wine are taken to sacrifice to them, along with paper resembling income. This is all burned in the hope that the deceased usually are not lacking meals and funds. Kowtow prior to the tablets set up for your dead are made.

Today, with cremation taking in excess of from burying, the custom has become very simplified in cities. Only flowers are presented to the dead relatives and revolutionary martyrs. Regardless of how respect is proven, very good prayers for that deceased are expressed.

Spring Outing

It is not only a day for commemorating the dead, but also a time for individuals to get pleasure from themselves. Throughout March, everything in nature takes on a new search, as trees turn green, flowers blossom, and also the sun shines brightly. It is a fine time to go out and to appreciate the stunning scenes of nature. This custom might be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) and followed by each dynasty later on till nowadays. So visitors might be observed everywhere throughout the month of the festival.

Spring outings not simply add joy to existence but also encourage a healthy body and thoughts.