清明节用英语怎么说
What is Qingming Festival?
Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day or Pure Brightness Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday that usually falls around April 4th or 5th. It is a time to pay respects to ancestors and deceased family members by visiting their gravesites, cleaning the tombstones, and leaving offerings such as food, wine, and burning incense. This holiday has been observed for over 2,500 years and is an important part of Chinese culture.
Origins of Qingming Festival
Qingming Festival originated during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) as a time to commemorate a loyal Duke named Chong'er. He was forced to flee from his kingdom and lived in poverty for many years. One day, he was so hungry that he resorted to eating raw meat from the bones he found on the ground. When he finally regained his position in the kingdom, he ordered that the meat in his kingdom could only be cooked and never eaten raw. Since then, people in China have celebrated Qingming Festival by eating cooked meat instead of raw meat. This also became a time to remember one's ancestors and visit their gravesites.
Traditions of Qingming Festival
During Qingming Festival, families usually gather together to clean and decorate the gravesites of their ancestors. They bring flowers, burn incense, offer food and wine, and sometimes even set off firecrackers. Some families also bring items like pictures, candles, and paper money written with the hopes that their ancestors will have good luck and wealth in the afterlife. In addition to visiting gravesites, Qingming Festival is also a time to enjoy the spring weather, fly kites, and participate in other outdoor activities.
Modern Day Celebrations
In recent years, Qingming Festival has become a public holiday in China, and people have more free time to perform the traditions and activities associated with this holiday. There are also some unique customs to different parts of China, such as the Tujia ethnic group in central China who celebrates Qingming Festival by throwing colored glutinous rice at each other. In Hong Kong and Taiwan, people also fly kites and eat their traditional foods, such as rice dumplings and green tea cakes.
Overall, Qingming Festival is a time for families to come together and pay their respects to their ancestors. It is a time to remember those who have passed and to appreciate the family bond that has been passed down through generations. So, whether you are in China or overseas, take some time to think about your own ancestors and show your appreciation for the family you have today.
