The+Tomb-Sweeping+Festival

The Tomb- Sweeping Festival usually falls on April 5, When the dead are honored with offerings and the burning of incense and paper money. Tomb Sweeping Day and Clear Brightness Festival are the most common English translations of Qingming Festival. Tomb Sweeping Day is used in several English language newspapers published in the Republic of China.

For the Chinese, it is a day to remember and honour one's ancestors at grave sites. Young and old pray before the ancestors, sweep the tombs and offer food, tea, wine, chopsticks, (joss) paper accessories, and/or libation to the ancestors.

The rites are very important to most Chinese and especially farmers. Some people carry willow branches with them on Qingming, or put willow branches on their gates and/or front doors. They think that willow branches help ward off the evil ghosts that wander on Qingming. Also on Qingming, people go on family outings, start the spring plowing, sing, dance, and Qingming is a time where young couples start courting.

Another popular thing to do is fly kites (in shapes of animals, or characters from Chinese opera).



** Click here you can get more resources and assignments (3) for the Tomb-Sweeping Festival. **