What Is Qingming Festival?
The Qingming Festival takes place on the 5th of April. On this day, people respect past relatives who have died. This includes cleaning the graves, giving food, and burning anger. By burning something, the smell of the burnt part is taken to the spirit world, where it can be used by the dead.
This is a time when ice and snow has gone and plants are beginning to grow again, and is a time for respect to relatives that have died. The graves of dead relatives are swept away, the memory of the dead are valued and offering of food may be made.
This is a time when ice and snow has gone and plants are beginning to grow again, and is a time for respect to relatives that have died. The graves of dead relatives are swept away, the memory of the dead are valued and offering of food may be made.
The History Of Qingming Festival
A Prince named Chong'er was banned from the city for 19 years. One day, while the prince was starving to death, a follower named Jie Zhitui cut a bit from his body to make soup and help the king. When the prince found out he was moved and decided to reward him.
After the 19 years from the country, the prince finally returned to the city and gained power. He offered all his followers a decent reward and Jie Zhitui a title. Jie Zhitui did not accept the reward because he didn't want it but he offered to help the prince become a duke. When he heard that the prince was coming to see him, he hid on a mountain and didn't want to come out.
The Prince tried to force Jie Zhitui to come out by setting the mountain on fire but after 3 days and 3 nights, all they found was a dead body. The next year, when the prince climbed the mountain to remember Jie Zhitui. He saw the burnt tree that Jie Zhitui died beside and was moved. He declared that people stop using fire, swept the tombs of the dead relatives and offered food to remember the Jie Zhitui. Branches are placed on front doors to scare the spirits that come on this day.
After the 19 years from the country, the prince finally returned to the city and gained power. He offered all his followers a decent reward and Jie Zhitui a title. Jie Zhitui did not accept the reward because he didn't want it but he offered to help the prince become a duke. When he heard that the prince was coming to see him, he hid on a mountain and didn't want to come out.
The Prince tried to force Jie Zhitui to come out by setting the mountain on fire but after 3 days and 3 nights, all they found was a dead body. The next year, when the prince climbed the mountain to remember Jie Zhitui. He saw the burnt tree that Jie Zhitui died beside and was moved. He declared that people stop using fire, swept the tombs of the dead relatives and offered food to remember the Jie Zhitui. Branches are placed on front doors to scare the spirits that come on this day.
Traditions
Qingming is the best time for getting out and enjoying the early blossoms before summer. During the spring, everything in nature are beautiful, as trees turn green, flowers blossom, and the sun shines brightly. It is a fine time to go out and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Cuju is a ball made with leather with feathers in the inside. Cuju means "kick the rubber ball with foot".
Tree - planting is great on that day because of the warm weather and the big rainfall.
Grave sweeping during the Qingming Festival shows respect and offers sacrifice to relatives that are dead.
Kite Flying is very fun. When kites fly in the evening, the kites look like twinkling stars that adds something special to the sky. Kite Flying is believed to bring good luck.
Putting Willow branches on gates are believed to scare off evil spirits and ghosts.
Cuju is a ball made with leather with feathers in the inside. Cuju means "kick the rubber ball with foot".
Tree - planting is great on that day because of the warm weather and the big rainfall.
Grave sweeping during the Qingming Festival shows respect and offers sacrifice to relatives that are dead.
Kite Flying is very fun. When kites fly in the evening, the kites look like twinkling stars that adds something special to the sky. Kite Flying is believed to bring good luck.
Putting Willow branches on gates are believed to scare off evil spirits and ghosts.