Learn about the origins of Qingming Festival and how it is celebrated in China. Discover the traditions of tomb-sweeping, food offerings, kite flying, and more.
The Origins of Qingming Festival
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Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day or Pure Brightness Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival that occurs in early April each year. It falls on the first day of the fifth solar term of the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar, which this year is April 4. Qingming became a public holiday in mainland China in 2008.
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The origins of Qingming can be traced back to the Cold Food Festival, also known as Hanshi Jie, which was a memorial for Jie Zitui. Jie was a loyal retainer of Duke Wen of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period. He supported Duke Wen throughout his years of exile and even sacrificed his own flesh to feed the starving Duke when they had nothing else to eat.
After Duke Wen came into power, Jie chose to retire and live as a recluse in the woods. Duke Wen wanted to seek Jie's wisdom, so he decided to find him. One of his retainers suggested setting a fire to force Jie out, which unfortunately resulted in Jie and his mother's death. Duke Wen found a poem written in Jie's blood, expressing Jie's loyalty and his wish for Duke Wen to become a wise emperor.
Duke Wen was filled with remorse and ordered three days without fire to honor Jie, while the day of Jie's death was named Hanshi. The following year, Duke Wen visited Jie's grave with his retainers and discovered that a willow tree, now known as the Qingming willow, was flourishing near the site. This led to the establishment of the Hanshi Qingming Festival, which later evolved into a day to honor deceased ancestors during the Tang Dynasty.
Traditions and Customs of Qingming Festival
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Qingming Festival is a time when Chinese people visit the graves of their ancestors, burn offerings to honor the deceased, and enjoy outings to appreciate the beauty of spring. One of the most famous Chinese paintings associated with Qingming Festival is "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" by Zhang Zeduan. This Song Dynasty artwork depicts the bustling scenes of people in the capital city during the festival.
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Tomb sweeping is a significant tradition during Qingming Festival. People visit family cemeteries and offer food, flowers, and favorite items of the deceased. Some may also burn paper money and incense as offerings. Flying kites is another popular activity during Qingming Festival. In ancient times, it was believed that the gates of hell were open on Qingming, allowing people to send greetings to their departed loved ones through kites. Nowadays, people release their kites, hoping for good luck in the new year.
Traditional Qingming food includes cold dishes, as it is customary not to light a fire or cook during the festival. In the northern regions, people enjoy precooked cold food such as jujube cakes and barley cakes. In the southern regions, qingtuan (green rice balls made of rice flour and wormwood juice) and sweet-scented sugar lotus root stuffed with sticky rice are popular refreshments.
Significance of Qingming Festival
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Qingming Festival holds a significant place in Chinese culture as a time to honor ancestors and embrace the arrival of spring. The traditions and customs associated with this festival have been passed down through generations, symbolizing respect for the past and hope for the future.
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Qingming Festival is not only a time for tomb-sweeping and paying respects to ancestors, but it is also a time for families to come together and enjoy the beauty of nature. It is a time to reflect on the past, remember loved ones, and appreciate the renewal and growth that spring brings.