Qingming Festival (Tomb-sweeping Day)

from April 2 to 4, 2016. More detailed 2016 / 2017 / 2018 China Public Holiday Calendar is available for you to know the schedule of all holidays in 

China and better make your travel plan.

Introduction 簡介
Qingming Festival (also known as Pure Brightness Festival or Tomb-

sweeping Day), which falls on either April 4th or 5th of the gregorian 

calendar, is one of the Chinese Twenty-four Solar Terms. 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 起源
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 order

-ed that the day Jie died was Hanshi (Cold Food) Festival - the day that only cold food could be eaten.

Spring Outing during Qingming Festival

The second year, when the lord went to the mountain to sacri-

fice 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 傳統(tǒng)習俗
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.

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 remember-ing 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. Kow-

tow 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.

time for people to enjoy themselves. During March, everything in nature takes on a new look, as trees turn green, flowers blos-som, 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 every-

where during the month of the festival.

Spring outings not only add joy to life but also promote a 

healthy body and mind.

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.

All in all, the Qingming Festival is an occasion of unique 

characteristics, integrating sorrowful tears to the dead with the continuous laughter from the spring outing.