Tomb-sweeping Day is a day people gather and commemorate their ancestors by visiting their graves, and offering meat, fruits, cakes, wine, incense and joss paper (representing money), etc. In China, we can enjoy three-day holiday (April 2-4). The following are some useful knowledge for you to have a better understanding of Tomb-sweeping Day.
1. In China, Tomb-sweeping Day is called Qingming Jie, which means “clear and bright.” Qingming Jie originated from one of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese solar calendar. This solar term always comes after the Spring Equinox.
2. The ways to celebrate Tomb-sweeping Day are not all the same. There are some differences among different areas. In the north of China, people often sweep tomb a week before actual Qingming Jie. In the south, people always sweep tomb a day in advance. Seldom do people start sweep tomb on Tomb Sweeping Day.
3. When Qingming Festival comes, the weather will be nicer and nicer. It is time to enjoy your favorite season: spring. It is the best time to go on outdoor activities, such as have a picnic, go hiking, fly a kite or go to the park to enjoy the colorful flowers. Before the hot summer comes, take action and seize the chance to experience the nature.
4. Different places have different foods for Qingmijng Festival. During the festival, most of people often eat sweet green rice balls and Qingming cakes. People in the south of China eat qingtuan, a dumpling that is green and made from glutinous rice and barley grass, but people in the north don’t have this kind of tradition. The Tujia ethnic group often eat pig heads and the Miao nationality make a type of pastry called Qingming Ba with mugwort and sticky rice.
