tomb-sweeping-dayWord版.docx

The Tomb Sweeping Day is another traditional festival which always comes at April 4 or April 5. In Chinese it called "Qing Ming", which is also one of 24 solar terms in lunar calendar. It is the high time for spring plowing and sowing as temperature rises higher and rains increase. Similar to the spring festivals of other cultures, Tomb Sweeping Day celebrates the rebirth of nature, while marking the beginning of the planting season and other outdoor activities.Origin of Tomb Sweep FestivalQingming was celebrated since Western Zhou Dynasty over 2, 000 years ago. People go outdoors for dancing, singing, picnics and kite flying. It was common to color boiled eggs and break them open to symbolize new life. Trees were planted to symbolize the renewing of spring.Tomb sweeping and Ancestor HonoringWith years by, the celebration of life included honoring the past ancestors and offering sacrifices in front of their tombs. Chinese people believed deceased ancestors looked after the family and sacrifice would make them happy resulting in the prosperity of the whole family. Tomb sweeping is a good time to cherish the memory of the dead and to tidy the area around where they are buried. Double satisfaction including visiting dead relatives grave and going out for a walk at that clean spring time.According to traditional custom, wine, fruit and food, which the deceased people loved to eat when they were alive. Underworld paper money is burnt as an offering, grave being tied and green branches or flowers placed on the tomb, and the people all bowing down to honor the departed relatives. After the ceremonial aspects, people then eat all the food and show respects to their loved ones before going home.Sacrifices are not only placed at the graves of Qing Ming Jie, Chinese people regularly provide offerings to their ancestors at altar tables at home, mostly at living rooms. Chicken, eggs, rice, or other dishes are provided. They are carefully arranged with burning incense as to expedite the transfer of nutritious elements to the ancestors.Chinese Culture & Qing MingQingming was frequently mentioned in ancient Chinese works, the most famous one is the poem by Du Mu, "A drizzling rain falls like tears on the Mourning Day; the mourners heart is breaking on his way. Where can a wine house are found to drown his sadness? A cowherd points to Almond Flower (Xing Hua) Village in the distance.Qingming is also significant in Chinese Tea Culture since it is the specific day which dividing the fresh green tea by their picking dates. The premium early season is know as "Pre-Qingming" (mingqian in Chinese). Green tea picked before Qingming are of higher value and price, as the short production cycle and required experienced workers. The famous type was Yu Qian Long Jing (Dragon Well before the Rain), only have 10-day long to pick and of much lighter and subtler aromas than those picked after the festival.OriginIt 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.Spring Outing during Qingming FestivalThe 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 CustomsQingming 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 SweepingTomb 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 persons 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 f。