Ching Ming Festival

Tomb-Sweeping Day, also known as Qingming Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday that is celebrated on the 15th day of the third month of the lunar calendar. This year, Tomb-Sweeping Day falls on April 5, 2024.

The holiday is a time for Chinese people to pay their respects to their ancestors and deceased loved ones. It is also a time for people to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with their families.

The origins of Tomb-Sweeping Day can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC). During this time, people would visit the tombs of their ancestors to clean them up and make offerings of food and wine. This practice was believed to help the spirits of the deceased to rest in peace.

Over the centuries, Tomb-Sweeping Day has evolved into a more complex holiday. In addition to visiting the tombs of their ancestors, people now also participate in a variety of other activities, such as:

• 掃墓 (sào mù): This is the practice of visiting the tombs of ancestors to clean them up and make offerings of food and wine.

• 踏青 (tà qīng): This means "to go for an outing in the spring". Many people take advantage of the holiday to go for walks in the countryside or visit parks and gardens.

• 放風箏 (fàng fēngzhēng): This means "to fly kites". Kite-flying is a popular activity for children and adults alike on Tomb-Sweeping Day.

• 吃清明果 (chī qīngmíng guǒ): These are special pastries that are made and eaten during Tomb-Sweeping Day.

Tomb-Sweeping Day is an important holiday in Chinese culture. It is a time for people to remember their ancestors and deceased loved ones, and to celebrate the arrival of spring.