1、 Qingming Festival，also known as Tomb sweeping day，is one of the most important traditional Chinese festivals.For the Chinese,it is a special day to remember and honor ones ancestors at grave sites.origin It is said that the Qingming Festival originally commemorate a loyal man living in the Spring a
2、nd Autumn Period(770-476BC)named Jie Zitui.Jie saved his starving lords life by serving a piece of his own leg.When the lord succeeded in becoming the king,he invited his faithful follower to join him.However,Jie declined his invitation,preferring to lead a hermits life with his mother in the mounta
3、ins.Believing that he could force Jie out by burning the mountain,the lord ordered his men to set the forest on fire.To his consternation,Jie chose to remain where he was and was burnt to death.To commemorate Jie,the lord ordered all fires in every home to be put out on the anniversary of Jies death
4、.Thus began the“cold food feast“(寒食节）The cold food festival occurs on the eve of Qing Ming and is often considered as part of the Qing Ming festival.As time passes,the Qing Ming festival replaced the cold food festival.Tomb Sweeping Day is held two weeks after the vernal equinox(春分).It usually falls
5、 early in April(between the 4th and the 6th),is one of the Chinese Twenty-four Solar Terms.(24节气）.timeFrom that date temperatures begin to rise and rainfall increases,indicating that it is the crucial time for plowing and sowing in the spring.Qingming Festival therefore has a close relationship with
6、 agriculture.However,it is not only a seasonal symbol;it is also a festival of paying respect to the dead,a spring outing and other activitites.Tomb sweeping is regarded as the most important custom in the Qingming Festival.sweeping the tomb and paying respect to the dead person are the two importan
7、t things.weeds around the tomb are cleared away and fresh soil is added to show care of the dead.The dead persons favourite food and wines are taken to sacrifice to them,along with burning paper coins.customsTomb Sweeping or Ancestor Worshipping 扫墓 The major custom in Qingming Festival is tomb sweep
8、ing.According to folk religion,the spirits of deceased ancestors still live underground and look after the family;the tombs are said to be their houses;thus it is very important to keep the tombs clean.Today,the custom has changed in cities.Flowers are the best gifts to the dead.spring outing(踏青)Tug
9、-of-war(拔河拔河)play on a swing(荡秋千荡秋千)Flying kites(放风筝放风筝)activititesFlying Kites Flying kites is the most popular activity by many people during the QingMing Festival.Many people like to fly the kites.In the festival,you will see all kinds of kites in the sky.It is said that it is lucky thing.Flying
10、kites can brings good luck and get rid of disease in the whole year.Spring trip Not only is it a day for commemorating the dead，it is also a festival for people to enjoy themselves.During April，trees spring.flowers blossom,and the sun shines brightly.It is a fine time to go out and to enjoy the fine
11、 scenery of nature during the festival.This custom can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty(618-907)and followed untill today.So visitors can be seen everywhere during the month of the festival.Spring trip not only give us happy but also promote a healthy body and mind.Spring Outing 春游、踏青 It is a fine time to go out and to appreciate the beautiful scenes of nature during the festival.This custom can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty and followed by each dynasty later till today.So visitors can be seen everywhere during the month of the festival.2021
