While combing through culture on Xiaohangshu (Rednote), I came across a rather sorrowful story about a loyal servant in the Jin Dynasty. The more I researched, the more I learned that the Tomb Sweeping Festival - also known as the Qingming Festival (the renowned Taqing festival in China) is somehow connected to this story. It’s sad to see that this part of the legend is slowly being forgotten.
Here's everything about the Qingming Tomb Sweeping Festival you need to know!
What is the Qingming Tomb Sweeping Festival?
Qingming festival (清明节, Ching Ming or QÄ«ngmÃngjié), also known as Chinese Tomb Sweeping Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the dead, particularly a family's ancestors. It falls on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox and is celebrated for three days on the Lunar calendar. In 2025, the Qingming festival will begin on April 4th and go until April 6th.
Origin story of the Qingming Festival Taqing
Ching Ming literally means 'clean and bright' in Chinese and is often related to reviving the spring. But today's celebrations derive from something much sinister - the Hanshi Festival (寒食节, HánshÃjié).
The roots of the Qingming festival taqing is linked to an ancient legend in the Jin dynasty about a sorrowful forest fire. It talks about the exiled Prince Chong'er, also known as Duke Wen in 655 BC, who was hiding in a remote area during the civil unrest.
While he was starving, one of his followers, Jie Zitui, cut out a piece of flesh from his thigh to make a soup for the Duke. Moved by Jie Zitui’s loyalty, Duke Wen sought him out after becoming emperor and invited him to serve at his court. However, Jie Zitui refused.
Spurred by jealous officials, the emperor attempted to force him out of hiding by setting fire to the forest. This led to an unfortunate end as it killed both Jie Zitui and his mother. The Emperor found their bodies charred next to a willow tree.
Out of regret, he announced that Jie Zitui's death anniversary would be celebrated without fire, and people would be forced to survive only on cold foods. This later became known as the Hanshi festival or Cold Festival.
Are the Qingming and Hanshi Festivals the same thing?
Yes and No. Qingming festival taqing - as the name already suggests - is a Spring honoring festival, while Hanshi festival used to be a Winter festival dedicated to Jie Zitui. But today they are both celebrated together.
Why was the Hanshi Cold Festival Discontinued?
It wasn't discontinued; it was shortened and switched. The Hanshi festival often went on for weeks and even a whole month in certain parts of the country, where devotees would only eat cold food and abstain from lighting fires in remembrance of Jie Zitui. This led to many deaths of practitioners, so during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD), the festival was moved to Spring and merged with the Qingming Festival, only to be celebrated for 3 days.
Does the Forest Where Jie Zitui Burned Alive Exist?
Based on pieces of the legend put together, the answer is yes. Mianshan Mountain, also known as Jieshan Mountain for Jie Zitui, is located near Pingyao Ancient City in Shanxi Province. This is where the forest fire is believed to have taken place.
What is celebrated on Tomb Sweeping Festival Day?
As it's a mix of Spring, Death and Remembrance, the Chinese Tomb Sweeping Festival is primarily about honoring the deaths of ancestors, and as the name already suggests - sweeping tombs.
In rural villages, burial was the norm - not cremation. Bodies were buried according to Feng Shui, either between hills or on top of mountains, and they did not have a graveyard. Visiting a gravesite itself was a task, hence, a dedicated couple of days were required to go find the place and clean up the site.
Is Qingming a Buddhist Festival?
The traditions of Qingming and Hanshi derive from ancient Confucianism and Buddhist practices. However, it does not stop the Taoists and other minorities in China from celebrating the tomb sweeping festival.
Can Christians or Muslims take part in the Qingming Tomb Sweeping Festival?
As it does not have any religious significance, Christians and Muslims can also celebrate the Qingming festival by paying tribute to their own ancestors. You can visit the graves of your deceased family members, pray and give offerings.
What to do on Tomb Sweeping Festival Day?
Besides paying respects to ancestors, families often spend the day together, enjoying outdoor activities like picnics and kite flying. Many people travel back to their hometowns to visit family graves, clean tombstones, and offer food and incense in remembrance.
How to Dress for the Qingming Festival?
Simplicity is key. People usually wear modest, dark, or neutral-colored clothing to show respect. Bright or flashy outfits are avoided since it’s a solemn occasion. If you're visiting a cemetery or climbing up a mountain to visit a remote grave site, comfortable clothes and shoes are a good idea.
Things not to do during the Qingming Festival
If you're travelling in rural China during this time, avoid wearing red. As we all know, red in Chinese culture is often associated with fortune and positivity, but when it comes to the Qingming festival, red is frowned upon. It’s also considered disrespectful to joke or take photos at gravesites. Some avoid visiting friends' houses right after a tomb-sweeping visit, as it’s thought to carry negative energy. Also, it's advised not to sweep tombs after 3 p.m.
And Chinese people don't make major life decisions like marrying during the Qingming festival.
What do people eat during the Qingming Festival?
Cold Food is generally eaten during the Qingming festival as a respect to the dead and to pay tribute to Jie Zitui. Some of the top favourite foods are;
Qīngtuán - Sweet green dumpling made with glutinous rice flour, mugwort or barley grass with red bean filling.
SÇŽnzi - Pre-fried, crispy dough twists with sesame seeds, which are often eaten as a snack.
Zongzi - This is the same Zongzi eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival. These ancient sticky rice dumplings with fillings can be preserved, so people cook them in advance to enjoy during the festival.
Wrapping Up;
The Hanshi Festival's tragedy shaped today's Qingming Festival; however, many of the present traditions have slowly moved away from the harsh ancient customs. If you're in urban cities like Beijing, the celebrations are much more modernised with food fairs and performances. Only in rural villages can you still experience the full scope of traditional rituals.
If you want to witness these customs firsthand, head to Pingyao in Shanxi Province - the birthplace of the legend. Befriend some locals and politely ask if you could join them for a gravesite visit. If they agree, simply follow their lead.
On the bright side, since this is a public holiday, many city workers in Beijing and Shanghai travel back to their hometowns, making it a great time to explore major sites with fewer crowds.