Guidance

Qing Ming is a time to remember the dead and the dearly departed. More importantly, it is a period to honour and to pay respect to one's deceased ancestors and family members．清明节是一个纪念祖先的节日。主要的纪念仪式是扫墓，扫墓是慎终追远、敦亲睦邻及行孝的具体表现。

1 A well-known poem by Tang dynasty poet Du Mu tells of a scene in early April①: “Rains fall heavily as Qingming comes, and passersby with lowered spirits go.”

2 This scene takes place on Tomb Sweeping Day, also known as Qingming Festival. Tomb Sweeping Day is a traditional Chinese festival. It began in the Zhou dynasty, over 2, 500 years ago. Chinese people celebrate it to remember and honor their ancestors. This year, in 2015, it falls on April 5. Tomb Sweeping Day became a public holiday in the Chinese mainland in 2008. People have one day off for that day.

3 On this day, families bring flowers, food and wine to the grave sites of their ancestors. They place cakes, fruits in front of the grave and some may burn joss paper as money for the dead. ②After that, they sweep the tombs and cherish the memories of their dead family members.

4 Tomb Sweeping Day gives us a chance to show respect to our ancestors and family members who have passed away and show that we miss them. This tradition shows that family values are an important part of Chinese culture.

5 Tomb Sweeping Day is also the beginning of the time for gardening and outdoor activities in China. Families often get together for outings or to fly kites at this time.

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