Tomb-Sweeping Day in China | Cherry’s Essays

Tomb-Sweeping Day is a very important festival in China. The history of it can date back to Tang Dynasty. The Chinese name of Tomb-Sweeping Day is Qingming, which is also one of The 24 Solar Terms, means Clear and Bright, as it is on 5th April every year, when spring is coming, winter is running back home.

This is a special day which set up to recall our passed-away relatives. We prepare some particular food like boiled chicken, special cake and some fruits, and place them in front of the tombstone. There is a special type of currency which made by simple papers are used to burn into ash, for we believe our passed-away elatives can get the money we give in this way. And we also burn some “clothes (made by paper)”or “cars (made by paper). (I even saw “wife” one year, crazy!). In addition, we also burn incense.

Read more and see photo gallery after the break….

There are four processes. First, we hold three or six (the number of the incenses must be multiple of three ) incense in both hands, and raise them near our head (to show respect). Second, we bow down three times. While we are bowing, we will make a wish in our heart. Generally my wish is about health or happiness, (or well, okay I admit that sometimes I wish to be taller and prettier), because we all believe our passed-away families have a magical and holy ability to make it come true. After that, we put the incenses into the soil in front of the tombstone.

Although the tales about the region of Tomb-sweeping Day are not as many as those of mid-autumn festival, plenty of ancient poets as well as modern poets wrote a lot about it. Also, the great and famous ancient Chinese painting Pure Brightness Festival on the River was exactly describing the scenes of the day. Being different from the other Chinese traditional festival, Tomb-sweeping Day is more serious and grave rather festive. I like this atmosphere, the serenity not only releases me from busy daily work, but also makes me look back my life. And of course, think about our loving relatives.

Thanks to this festival, the families which don’t meet each other often, get a good opportunity to gather and hang out. And also let us re-feel the warm memories that the family gave us.

~Cherry

Tomb Sweeping Day

Cherry

My name is Ruyu Liu. You can call me Cherry. I am a 16 year old high school student from Liuzhou, Guangxi Province, China. I like to write. Actually I think writing is a form to show our unique and attractive personalities; it also is a great way to communicate to people. I am an ordinary girl who would like to share anything special to people all over the world. Maybe I don’t have the perfect diction or literary talent, but I do have a completely true heart to share the stories. I plan to study in America maybe in two years. I am pleased to learn about a foreign culture, and I just want to meet more different and unique ”you”. My grandfather teaches Chinese language, grammar, composition and literature here in Liuzhou. My grandmother teaches mathematics. My father is an architect and engineer. I look forward to read your comments and conversing with you in either Mandarin Chinese or English.

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