The Legend of Qingming Festival
The Origin of Qingming Festival
In ancient China, Qingming Festival was originally a day for worshipping ancestors and offering sacrifices to them. It was also known as Tomb-sweeping Day, as people would visit family graves to clean them up and offer food and wine to their loved ones who had passed away. The festival falls on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox, around April 5th every year, when the weather starts to get warmer and the grass and trees turn green. The origin of Qingming Festival can be traced back to over 2,500 years ago in the Zhou Dynasty.
The Legend of Jie Zhitui
There is a famous legend behind the Qingming Festival, which is the story of Jie Zhitui. Jie Zhitui was a loyal minister to Duke Wen of Jin in the Spring and Autumn Period. He followed Duke Wen in his journey to escape from his enemies and helped him to survive in the wild. Jie Zhitui was known for his wisdom, loyalty, and kindness, and was highly respected by Duke Wen.
One day, during their journey, Duke Wen was starving and asked for food. Jie Zhitui secretly cut a piece of meat from his own thigh and cooked it for Duke Wen. From then on, Duke Wen was touched by Jie Zhitui's loyalty and promised to repay him well in the future. However, Duke Wen became busy with his reign after they returned to their kingdom, and forgot about his promise to Jie Zhitui.
Years went by, and Jie Zhitui became tired of waiting for Duke Wen's gratitude. He then withdrew from the government and lived a simple life with his mother in a mountain forest. Duke Wen finally remembered Jie Zhitui and tried to find him, but failed. He ordered his soldiers to set fire to the forest, hoping to force Jie Zhitui out. However, Jie Zhitui and his mother refused to leave the forest and were burned to death.
Duke Wen was deeply saddened by their deaths and ordered his people to mourn for Jie Zhitui on the anniversary of his death every year. He also ordered that fires should not be set on that day, in memory of Jie Zhitui's devotion and loyalty. This custom was passed down from generation to generation and has become the tradition of Qingming Festival to this day.
Celebration of Qingming Festival
Today, Qingming Festival has become an important public holiday in China, comparable to Memorial Day in the United States. People not only visit their ancestors' graves, but also enjoy outdoor activities such as kite flying, spring outings, and planting trees. They also eat traditional Qingming Festival food, such as qingtuan (glutinous rice balls stuffed with sweet bean paste) and green tea.
Qingming Festival reflects China's rich cultural heritage and teaches people to cherish the memory of their ancestors and appreciate the beauty of nature. It is a time for family reunions, paying tribute to the past, and looking forward to the future with hope.
