The Qingming Festival

清明節(jié)

The ceaseless drizzle drips all the dismal day,

So broken-hearted fares the traveler on the way.

When asked where could be found a tavern bower,

A shepherd boy points to a yonder village of the apricot flower.

Some 1.200 years ago, a Chinese poem written by the great Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu illustrated a scene of the Qingming Festival.

清明時(shí)節(jié)雨紛紛，

路上行人欲斷魂。

借問酒家何處有？

牧童遙指杏花村。

這是1200多年前，唐代大詩人杜牧筆下的清明節(jié)。

The?Qingming Festival,?known as Tomb-sweeping Day, falls on either April 4th or 5th of the Gregorian calendar, and is one of the Chinese Twenty-four Solar Terms. From the date temperatures begin to rise and rainfall increases. However, it is not merely a seasonal symbol; it is also a day to pay respect to the dead.

清明節(jié)，又稱祭祖節(jié)，在公歷的4月4日或5日，是中國二十四節(jié)氣之一。從這天起，氣溫開始上升，雨量逐漸增加。然而，清明不僅僅代表季節(jié)變化，也是一個(gè)紀(jì)念逝者的日子。

Legend has it that in the spring and Autumn period more than 2000 years ago, Jie Zitui, a famous Minister of Jin State, helped Duke Wen and made great contributions, but he was indifferent to fame and wealth, and retired to the mountains. He stubbornly refused Duke Wen’s invitation, so the more stubborn Duke Wen set fire to the mountain to force him out. Finally, Jie Zitui was willing to be burned to death rather than go out of the mountain. Feeling remorseful, Duke Wen ordered 3 days without making fires to cook in honor of Jie Zitui.

相傳在兩千多年前的春秋時(shí)期，晉國名臣介子推輔佐晉文公，立下汗馬功勞，卻淡泊名利，歸隱山林，他倔強(qiáng)地拒絕了國君再次召喚，而更為倔強(qiáng)的國君竟放火燒山想逼他出來，最后介子推情愿被燒死也不愿出山。文公懊悔不已，下令三天不許生火做飯以祭奠介子推。

Tomb sweeping is regarded as the most critical custom in the Qingming Festival. Cleaning the tomb and paying respect to the dead with offerings are the two important rituals. Weeding the tomb and adding some fresh soil to it are to let the dead live a comfort life. The dead person's favorite foods and wine are taken to sacrifice to them, along with paper, in the hope that they are not lacking meals and money. Bowing and mourning in silence is to show that we respect and miss the dead.

清明掃墓是清明節(jié)最重要的習(xí)俗。掃墓和祭奠是兩項(xiàng)最重要的儀式。清除墓地雜草，加增一抔新土，愿逝者生活舒適; 奠些酒食，燒些紙錢，望逝者衣食無憂；鞠躬默哀，以示對(duì)逝者的尊敬與思念。

Qingming Festival is not only a day for commemorating the dead, but also a time for people to get pleasure. Throughout March, everything in nature takes on a new look, trees turning green, flowers blossoming, and also the sun shining brightly. It is a fine time to go out and to appreciate the stunning scenes of nature. Spring outings can not only add fun to our lives, but also benefit us physically and mentally.

清明節(jié)不僅是一個(gè)紀(jì)念逝者的日子，也是人們娛樂的日子。整個(gè)三月，大自然換上新裝，樹木變綠，鮮花盛開，陽光明媚。正是一個(gè)外出欣賞大自然美景的好時(shí)機(jī)。春游不僅能給生活增添樂趣，而且有助于身心健康。

Qingming represents the best time of spring scenery. Sacrificing to ancestors during such wonderful time showcases the importance of inheritance in Chinese people’s mind. Thanks to such awareness of inheritance, Chinese culture has always maintained the vitality for thousands of years.

清明是春光最好的時(shí)節(jié)，在這樣的時(shí)節(jié)追思先祖，體現(xiàn)的是中國人內(nèi)心對(duì)于“傳承”的重視。而中國文化也正因?yàn)榫d延千年的傳承，至今仍然保有鮮活的生命力。