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The Qingming festival is regarded as the day of mourning for the dead. It falls in April every year and corresponds with the commencement of the warmer weather and of family outings. This day is also known by other names in the English language like "All Souls Day", "Clear Brightness Day", "Grave Sweeping Day" and "Tomb Sweeping day". This festival is regarded to be a day in the honor of the dead and ancestors. The Qingming festival is not just a day for remembrance, but also a day of the celebration of the coming of the springs. Knowing the importance of the Qingming festival in mind, we have accumulated some information about this Chinese festival and have brought it just for you.
Legends Associated With The Festival
Usually before talking of the Qingming festival, people prefer to talk about the Hanshi festival, which comes one day before the Qingming festival. The legend associated with the Hanshi festival talks about the 7th century BC during the spring and autumn period when Duke Xiao was the monarch of the state of Jin.
According o the tradition, his eldest son Shen Sheng should have been his successor to the throne. But Xiao wanted the son of his favorite concubine, Li Ji, to succeed him as the ruler of Jin. To fulfill his wish, duke Xiao go his eldest son Shen Sheng murdered and had the same plans for his second son Chong'er who came to know about his father's evil plans and fled. For 19 long years Chong'er and a group of loyal officials had to wander homeless like nomads. One day Chong'er was about to die of hunger and thirst when one of his officials named Jie Zitui, cut a slice of his own leg and served it to his master, thus saving his life.
In BC 636, chong'er became the ruler of Jin and decided to reward his loyal officials. Unfortunately he forgot Jie Zitui, who was heartbroken and went away. When Chong'er realized his mistake, he went in person to apologize to Jie Zitui. But Jie Zitui went further deep in the mountains, so that no one could find him. Then Chong'er was advised by someone to set fire to the area where Jie was hiding so that he would come out and then he could be persuaded to return back. Chong'er took the advice and gave orders to set fire to the particular area. The fire raged for three days and when it subsided, Jie Zitui was found leaning against a large tree, carrying his old mother on his back. Both Jie Zitui and his mother were dead. Saddened by this incident Chong'er ordered to build a temple in the memories of Jie and also banned the use of fire on this day. So people had to consume cold food on this day. During the Qing Dynasty the Hanshi festival was replaced by the Qingming festival.
Traditions During The Qingming Festival
During this festival homage is paid to the ancestors by means of sacrifices. People visit the graves of their ancestors, clean it up by removing the weeds and sweeping away the leaves. To celebrate the coming of spring season, there is a tradition of flying of kites also. On this particular day you get to see many different colored kites adorning the sky of China.
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