清明节扫墓英语作文
Clear Tomb-sweeping Festival: A Traditional Chinese Custom
The Tomb-sweeping Festival, also known as Qingming Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival that has been celebrated for over 2500 years. It usually falls on April 4th or 5th, which is in the early spring season. This festival is a time for Chinese people to pay tribute to their ancestors and show respect to their predecessors. The Tomb-sweeping Festival is one of the most significant cultural events in China, and it has a profound impact on Chinese customs and traditions.
The Origin of Tomb-sweeping Festival
The Tomb-sweeping Festival is rooted in Chinese ancestral worship. According to the legend, during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), a loyal and filial disciple named Jie Zitui followed his master Duke Wen of Jin into the mountain for 19 years after being kicked out of his village. They survived the hardships of life in the wild together, and Jie even cut a piece of his own flesh to feed Duke Wen during a famine. After Duke Wen became king, he rewarded those who had helped him, but he forgot about Jie. So Jie went back into the mountains with his mother to live a simple life. Duke Wen felt guilty and went into the mountains to find Jie, but Jie refused to see him. Duke Wen burned the mountain to smoke out Jie, but he and his mother died in the fire. To show his remorse, Duke Wen ordered that the day of Jie's death, which was the 3rd of the third month in the Chinese lunar calendar, should be designated as Tomb-sweeping Day, and the day before should be a day of fasting and no-fire, called Cold Food Day. In memory of Jie, people started to clean tombs and offer sacrifices on Tomb-sweeping Day.
How People Celebrate Tomb-sweeping Festival
The main activity during the Tomb-sweeping Festival is tomb-sweeping, which means people visit the graves of their ancestors, clean the tombs, and offer sacrifices to their ancestors. People also plant willow trees near the tombs, as willow branches are believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits. Besides tomb-sweeping, people also take part in other activities like flying kites, hiking, and enjoying spring scenery. Eating Qingming rice dumplings, also known as Zongzi, is another essential part of the festival. Zongzi is made of glutinous rice stuffed with different fillings like meat, beans, or dates, and wrapped in bamboo leaves. The shape and ingredients of Zongzi vary by region, but it is always a symbol of family reunion and the love between family members.
The Significance of Tomb-sweeping Festival
The Tomb-sweeping Festival is not only a time for Chinese people to pay homage to their ancestors but also a time for them to reflect on their own lives. It is a reminder that life is fleeting, and it is essential to cherish every moment with loved ones. The festival is also a way to carry on Chinese cultural heritage and pass on family traditions from generation to generation. As the world rapidly modernizes, the traditional customs like the Tomb-sweeping Festival are becoming more and more precious, and they should be cherished and protected.
Conclusion
The Tomb-sweeping Festival is a traditional Chinese festival that reflects Chinese culture and customs. It is a time to remember and honor ancestors, to reflect on life, and to pass on traditions. As China continues to develop, it is crucial to preserve and promote these traditional customs so that they may continue for generations to come.
