Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese festival that falls on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox. It is a time for Chinese people to pay respects to their ancestors, visit their graves, and clean the tombs. This festival has a long history, dating back over 2,500 years, and is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and traditions.
The origins of Qingming Festival can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC). Its purpose was to commemorate Jie Zitui, a loyal minister of Duke Wen of Jin. When his lord was exiled and forced to flee during civil unrest, Jie followed him and served him without any complaint. After 19 years, Duke Wen was reinstated and became the ruler of the state of Jin. However, Jie did not receive any rewards and retired to the mountains to live a hermit life. When Duke Wen went to find him, Jie refused to reveal himself and instead sacrificed himself to provide Duke Wen with food. To honor Jie's loyalty and devotion, Duke Wen ordered a day of mourning and instructed the people to remember and honor Jie's spirit.
Tomb sweeping is the most important custom of Qingming Festival. People visit their ancestors' graves to pay their respects and clean the tombs. They offer flowers, incense, and paper money as a sign of filial piety to their deceased loved ones. Some families also hold a small ceremony to worship their ancestors and offer food and wine. Besides tomb sweeping, other traditional customs include flying kites, playing games, and enjoying the spring scenery.
In modern times, Qingming Festival has evolved into a public holiday in mainland China. People use this opportunity to participate in leisure activities, such as traveling or hiking, and enjoy time with their families and friends. To cater to changing lifestyles, some companies offer online tomb-sweeping services that allow people to virtually clean and decorate their ancestors' tombs from anywhere in the world. Moreover, the Chinese government has encouraged citizens to plant trees during this holiday as a way to promote ecological conservation and environmental protection.
Qingming Festival is a time to honor and remember our ancestors, as well as cherish the beautiful landscape of spring. It is important to recognize and appreciate our cultural heritage and traditions, as they reflect the values and beliefs of our ancestors. Through these customs, we can deepen our understanding of our family roots, our community, and our country, and inspire future generations to preserve and carry on these traditions.
