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 one's ancestors at grave sites.

origin It is said that the Qingming Festival originally commemorate a loyal man living in the Spring and Autumn Period( BC) named Jie Zitui.

Jie saved his starving lord's 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 hermit's life with his mother in the mountains.

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 Jie‘s death. 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 early in April(between the 4th and the 6th),is one of the Chinese Twenty-four Solar Terms.(24 节气）. time

From 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 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 important things. 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 wines are taken to sacrifice to them, along with burning paper coins. customs

Today, the custom has changed in cities. Flowers are the best gifts to the dead.

Tug-of-war ( 拔河 ) play on a swing ( 荡秋千 ) Flying kites ( 放风筝 ) activitites

Flying 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 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 scenery of nature during the festival. This custom can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty( ) 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.

途中寒食 【唐】宋之问 马上逢寒食，途中属暮春。 可怜江浦望，不见洛桥人。 北极怀明主，南溟作逐臣。 故园肠断处，日夜柳条新。 途中寒食宋之问寒食江浦

【唐】杜牧 清明时节雨纷纷，路上行人欲断魂。 借问酒家何处有？牧童遥指杏花村。人欲牧童杏花村

送陈秀才还沙上省墓 【宋】高启 满衣血泪与尘埃，乱后还乡亦可哀。 风雨梨花寒食过，几家坟上子孙来？ 送陈秀才还沙上省墓高启血泪

苏堤清明即事 【宋】吴惟信 梨花风起正清明，游子寻春半出城。 日暮笙歌收拾去，万株杨柳属流莺。 苏堤清明即事吴惟信笙歌流莺

Paper sacrifices Paper sacrificial offerings for Qingming Festival are becoming more diversified year by year. In a shop in Zhifang township, Henan province, customers were surrounded by a variety of paper-made products including vehicles, phones, electric appliances and other articles for daily use. It is an old tradition for Chinese people to sweep graves and pay respects to late family members and ancestors during Qingming. Paper offerings burned are believed to be sent to the beloved ones in heaven.

Paper Car

Paper air conditioners and washing machines

A solar water heater and a truck made from paper

Combustible cell phones and 'cash' are sold during Qingming

Debating 1. How did you spend your Qingming Festival? 2. How do you think of the activity– Paper sacrifece?