Qingming

Observing Qingming

Qingming also known as 'tomb-sweeping day' is a traditional Chinese holiday that honours ancestors and marks the beginning of spring. It is observed on the 15th day after spring equinox which usually occurs in early April¹. This is a time to reflect on family, tradition, and the cycles of life and nature.

History and Significance

Qingming has a history of over 2,500 years, beginning during the Zhou Dynasty as a time for families to honour their ancestors by visiting and cleaning their graves. This practice evolved over time to include elements of the Cold Food Festival, a day of remembering the loyal servant Jie Zitu.

Traditions and Rituals

Some traditions that take place are:

Tomb sweeping and visiting ancestral graves: Families visit the tombs of their ancestors to clean the graves, remove weeds, and tidy up the area. They also burn incense and leave offerings such as food, tea, wine, incense and paper money for their ancestors and deceased.
Food traditions: A traditional sweet called Qingtuan, which is made from glutinous rice flour and coloured with mugwort flour that is served during Qingming.²
Kite flying: Traditionally, people fly kites to symbolise driving away evil spirits and bad luck. Kites are often flown during the day, and in some regions, it’s common for the kites to have lanterns attached to them for an evening flight.
Outdoor activities and picnics: As April is spring in the northern hemisphere families may pack a picnic and enjoy meals in the countryside, celebrating the arrival of spring and the rejuvenation of nature.