This year marked my first attendance at the Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day. It was a surprising experience, quite different from how we commemorate the deceased in Poland. I found the cemeteries here to be less welcoming compared to those in Poland, perhaps because we visit them frequently, sometimes daily or a few times a year, and maintain them clean and beautifully decorated throughout. In Poland, we also observe All Saints' Day on November 1st to honor the departed. On this day, we bring flowers and candles to the graves, and you'll witness a large crowd, much larger than what I observed here. It's customary to visit graves at night, especially on that day when there's ample light around, creating a beautiful atmosphere. Visiting Poland in November poses challenges, especially with our son starting elementary school, so, it's unlikely that I'll be able to share more about All Saints' Day anytime soon.
Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, it's a significant traditional Chinese festival observed in Taiwan, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and other Chinese communities around the world. Qingming Festival, typically falls in early April, people visit the gravesites of their ancestors to clean and maintain them. They offer prayers, burn incense, and make offerings of food and other items as a sign of respect for their deceased loved ones. It's a time for families to gather, honor their ancestors, and pay tribute to their heritage.
During Qingming Festival, people engage in various activities to honor their ancestors and loved ones who have passed away.
1. Families visit the gravesites of their ancestors to clean and tidy them up. They remove weeds, sweep away debris, and tidy the area around the tombstones as a sign of respect.
2. Offerings are made to the deceased as a way to honor and remember them. These offerings typically include food items such as fruit, rice, cakes, and other traditional delicacies. Incense sticks are also burned as a symbolic gesture to communicate with the spirits of the ancestors.
3. Joss paper, also known as ghost money, is burned during Qingming Festival. This paper is believed to transfer to the afterlife and provide for the deceased in the spiritual realm.
People burn joss paper in the form of money, clothing, houses, and other items to ensure their ancestors' comfort and prosperity in the afterlife.
4. Families perform traditional rituals at the gravesite, such as bowing, kneeling, and offering prayers. These rituals are performed to show filial piety and respect for the deceased.
5. Qingming Festival also marks the arrival of spring, so it's common for families to spend time outdoors enjoying the fresh air and natural scenery. Some people take the opportunity to go for picnics, fly kites, or take leisurely walks in parks and countryside areas.
6. In addition to visiting gravesites, families may also set up ancestral altars at home to pay respects to their ancestors. They may offer food, incense, and other offerings at the family altar and hold ceremonies to honor their ancestors' spirits.
Overall, Qingming Festival is a time for families to come together, reflect on their heritage, and show gratitude and respect for their ancestors. It's a deeply rooted tradition that plays an important role in Chinese culture and society.
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