Qingming Festival

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Qingming Festival (

), also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day or Pure Brightness Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival observed by the Han Chinese and several other East Asian cultures. The festival falls on the first day of the fifth solar term of the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. This date is usually around April 4th or 5th of the Gregorian calendar.

History

The Qingming Festival has a history of over 2,500 years. It originated from the Cold Food Festival (寒食节), which commemorated Jie Zitui, a loyal follower of Duke Wen of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period. The festival was later combined with the practice of tomb sweeping and ancestor worship, becoming the Qingming Festival as it is known today.

Customs

During the Qingming Festival, people visit the graves of their ancestors to clean the tombstones, offer food, tea, wine, and other libations, and burn joss paper. These activities are meant to show respect to the deceased and ensure their comfort in the afterlife.

Other customs include:

• **Spring Outing (踏青)**: Families often take advantage of the holiday to enjoy the spring weather and go on outings.
• **Flying Kites (放风筝)**: Kite flying is a popular activity during Qingming, symbolizing the release of bad luck and the welcoming of good fortune.
• **Planting Trees (植树)**: Qingming is also associated with the practice of planting trees, which is why it is sometimes referred to as Arbor Day in China.

Cultural Significance

Qingming Festival is a time for Chinese people to honor their ancestors and reflect on their heritage. It is a day of both remembrance and renewal, blending solemnity with the joy of spring.

Related Festivals

• Double Ninth Festival
• Hungry Ghost Festival
• Mid-Autumn Festival
• Chinese New Year

See Also

• Chinese calendar
• Ancestor worship
• Traditional Chinese holidays
• Spring and Autumn period