Qingming Festival or Tomb-sweeping Day is a day for mourning the dead. It is one of the 24 solar terms by Chinese lunar calendar. During the period, the weather gets warmer, the rainfall increases and the time for spring sowing comes. Thus farmer’s proverbs say “Plant melons and sow beans during Qingming” or “No better time for planting trees than Qingming”. And Qingming is not only a way to honor loved ones, but also a chance for a spring break celebrating life. So how do Chinese people celebrate Qingming Festival?
1. Tomb sweeping
Tomb sweeping is regarded as the most important custom in Qingming Festival. Traditionally, the family burns replica versions of money and material goods as an offering at the grave, since it is believed that the deceased will still need all these things in the afterlife in Chinese culture. However, the custom has been greatly simplified today, especially in cities, where only flowers are presented to dead relatives.
2. Seasonal food
As the days of Tomb-sweeping Day and Hanshi Day are close, and “Hanshi” means cold food, and the tradition dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C.) Gradually, Hanshi Day and Tomb-sweeping Day become one.
In ancient times, people did not cook on the day and qingtuan, a snack filled with mugwort juice and wrapped in sticky rice, has become a traditional favorite. The stuffing can vary, with options including red bean paste and dried meat floss.
3. Playing Cuju
Cuju, an ancient Chinese ball game that involves kicking a ball through an opening into a net, is seen by FIFA as the earliest form of football. Ju is a rubber ball made of leather on the outside and stuffed tightly with feathers on the inside.
4. Spring Outings
In spring, everything in nature takes on a new look as trees and grass turn green, flowers blossom, and the sun shines brightly. It is a fine time to go out and appreciate the beauty of the world around us.
If you go for a trip to enjoy the lovely spring scenery during the Qingming festival, don't forget to take the unique Qingming snack with you and enjoy yourself!
