Tomb Sweeping Day (also known as Pure Brightness Festival or Qingming Festival), which falls on either April 4th or 5th of the Gregorian calendar, is one of the Chinese Twenty-four Solar Terms. From that date temperatures begin to rise and rainfall increases, indicating that it is the crucial time for plowing and sowing in the spring. Tomb Sweeping Day therefore has a close relationship with agriculture. However, it is not only a seasonal symbol; it is also a festival of paying respect to the ancestors, a spring outing, and other activities. It is much like Easter Day when people memorize the dead (ancestor in China and Christ in West) and at the same time enjoy the spring.
Origin
The most popular saying is about 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. Hanshi Festival is the 105th day after the winter solstice and last for 3 days while Tobm Sweeping Day is the 108th day. Later, the two festivals were combined as one - Tomb Sweeping Day.Traditional Customs
Tomb Sweeping Day 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. The festival is a combination of sadness and happiness.Tomb Sweeping
Tomb sweeping is regarded as the most important custom in the Tomb Sweeping Day. Cleaning the tomb and paying respect to the dead 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 person's 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.
Spring Outing
Not only is it a day for commemorating the dead, is it also a festival for people to enjoy themselves. During March, everything in nature takes on a new look, as trees turn green, flowers blossom, and the sun shines brightly. 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 (618 - 907) and followed by each dynasty later till today. So visitors can be seen everywhere during the month of the festival.
Flying Kites
Flying kites is an activity favored by many people during the Tomb Sweeping Day. Kites are not only flown during the day time but also in the evening. Little lanterns are tied to the kite or to the string that holds the kite. And when the kite is flying in the sky, the lanterns look like twinkling stars that add unique scenery to the sky during the night. What makes flying kites during this festival special is that people cut the string while the kite is in the sky to let it fly free. It is said this brings good luck and that diseases can be eliminated by doing this.
All in all, the Tomb Sweeping Day is an occasion of unique characteristics, integrating sorrowful tears to the dead with the continuous laughter from the spring outing.