The Clear and Bright Festival

The meaning of Qing Ming  

Qing Ming (Pure Brightnese) is a traditional festival highlighted by worship at ancestral graves. Usually it falls between April 4-6.The festival marks the fifth solar term of the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, which divides the year into 24 such terms according to the position of the earth as it orbits the sun. The names of the terms are used as guideposts for agriculture and certain Chinese festivals in China . Qing Ming marks the start of spring plowing in China’s north and of spring sowing in the south. At this time people also customarily make offerings to family ancestors, go on outings and flying kites.

What would people do in Qing Ming

In ancient China, Qing Ming was by no means the only time when sacrifices were made to ancestors. In fact such ceremonies were held very frequently, about every two weeks, in addition to other important holidays and festivals. The formalities of these ceremonies were in general very elaborate and expensive in terms of time and money.

Natural change after Qing Ming

A society of natural farming economy employed slash-and-burn cultivation, burning mountains and destroying forest. Spring was a time when grass and trees start sprouting. To keep a balanced ecology and to preserve a better living environment was a necessity to human being’s own survival. It was said in Li Ji--Yue Ling,” During this month, the air pressure of the sky comes down and the air pressure of earth rises up. When the sky and earth come together, grass and trees germinate. It is an edict from god to start farming.”

The origin of Qing Ming

Continued upkeep of loved one’s tombs is the purpose of a Chinese holiday called Qing Ming Jie, which means “clear and bright.” Traditionally falling on the 105^th day after the lunar winter solstice, this is the time for inspecting and cleaning graves. In this balmy, crystalline time of year, the very sky looks fresh-swept and flawless, refreshingly “clear and bright.”