The Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls on April 4 or 5 of the Gregorian calendar each year. It is a time for honoring the ancestors and deceased family members. Here is an English introduction to the origins and customs of the Qingming Festival:
**Origins of Qingming Festival:**
The Qingming Festival has its roots in ancient China, with its origins dating back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC). It was initially a day to honor the spirits of the deceased, but over time, it has evolved into a time for family reunions, spring cleaning, and enjoying the beauty of the season.
**Customs of Qingming Festival:**
1. **Tomb-Sweeping:** This is the most important custom of the Qingming Festival. Families visit the graves of their ancestors to pay their respects. They clean the tombstones, offer food, tea, and paper money, and burn incense to honor the spirits.
2. **Folding Paper Money:** Paper money and other paper goods are burned to symbolize the provision of wealth and other necessities for the deceased in the afterlife.
3. **Offering Food:** Families often prepare a feast of traditional foods, such as dumplings, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and tea, to offer to the spirits.
4. **Wearing Green:** It is customary to wear greenery, such as willow branches, to ward off evil spirits and to bring good luck.
5. **Planting Trees:** In some regions, planting trees is a tradition associated with the Qingming Festival. This is believed to honor the ancestors and ensure their well-being in the afterlife.
6. **Fishing:** In some areas, fishing is a traditional activity associated with the Qingming Festival. It is believed that catching fish can bring good luck and fortune.
7. **Paying Respect to the Earth:** The Qingming Festival is also a time to show respect for the earth and nature. People often clean up their surroundings, plant trees, and participate in other environmental activities.
8. **Eating Qingming Cake:** Qingming Cake, also known as Cold Food Cake, is a traditional Chinese dessert made with rice flour, sugar, and nuts. It is believed to have originated during the Song Dynasty and is often eaten during the Qingming Festival.
The Qingming Festival is a time for reflection, remembrance, and renewal, and it continues to be celebrated by millions of people across China and in Chinese communities around the world.
「点击下面查看原网页 领取您的八字精批报告☟☟☟☟☟☟」