The Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls on April 4 or 5 each year according to the Gregorian calendar. It is a time when people honor their ancestors and the departed by paying respects to their graves.
**Time and Origin:**
The Qingming Festival has its roots in ancient China and is believed to have originated from the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC). It is based on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar and is one of the 24 solar terms. The festival is celebrated to mark the end of winter and the beginning of spring, a time when the weather becomes warmer and plants begin to grow.
**Activities:**
1. **Tomb Sweeping:** Families visit the graves of their ancestors to clean and tidy the tombstones, remove weeds, and offer food, paper money, and other offerings. It is a way to show gratitude and respect for the deceased.
2. **Folding Paper Cranes:** This is a symbolic activity where people fold paper cranes, which are then burned as an offering to the spirits of the ancestors. The cranes are believed to carry the prayers and wishes of the living to the afterlife.
3. **Planting Trees:** It is customary to plant trees on this day, as a way to honor the deceased and to ensure the continuation of life. Trees are often planted on the graves or in memory of loved ones.
4. **Paying Respect to the Deceased:** People may also visit temples or sacred places to pay their respects to the spirits of the ancestors.
5. **Eating Qingming Zongzi:** In some regions, people eat zongzi, a traditional Chinese dumpling made of glutinous rice and filled with various ingredients, during the Qingming Festival.
6. **Flying Kites:** In some areas, especially in northern China, flying kites is a popular activity during the Qingming Festival. It is believed that flying kites helps to release the spirits of the ancestors.
7. **Wearing Green:** It is considered good luck to wear green during the Qingming Festival, as it symbolizes new growth and life.
These customs and activities vary by region and family, but they all contribute to the rich tapestry of the Qingming Festival, a time for reflection, remembrance, and renewal.
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