TOMB-SWEEPING FESTIVAL

1. Qingming Festival

2. 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.

3. origin • It is said that the Qingming Festival originally commemorate a loyal man living in the
Spring and Autumn Period(770-476BC) named Jie Zitui.

4. 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 life with his mother in the mountains.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. customs • 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.

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

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

12. 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.

13. 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(618-907) 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.

14. Thank You!