What is the custom of Tomb-Sweeping Day in northern China?

Tomb-Sweeping Day's customs are rich and interesting. In addition to paying attention to the prohibition of fire to sweep graves, there are a series of customs and sports activities such as jogging, swinging, cuju, playing polo and inserting willows. According to legend, this is because Tomb-Sweeping Day wants to ban cold food and fire. In order to prevent the harm of cold food and cold meal to people, we all take part in some sports activities to exercise. Therefore, this festival is a distinctive festival, with both sad tears to sweep graves and laughter for an outing.

plant trees

Before and after Tomb-Sweeping Day, the spring is beautiful, and the survival rate of planted saplings is high and the growth is fast. Therefore, China has the habit of planting trees in Qingming since ancient times. Some people even call Tomb-Sweeping Day Arbor Day. This custom has been passed down to this day. 1979, the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) stipulated March 12 every year as China's Arbor Day. This is of great significance to mobilize people of all ethnic groups in China to actively carry out activities to green the motherland.

gamecock

In ancient times, cockfighting competitions prevailed in Qingming, which began in Qingming and lasted until the summer solstice. The earliest record of cockfighting in China can be found in Zuo Zhuan. In the Tang Dynasty, cockfighting became a common practice, not only among the people, but also among the emperors. For example, Tang Xuanzong likes cockfighting best. Mrs. Hua Rui, a poetess of the Five Dynasties, wrote a poem: "There is a double-decker chicken farm next to the Qingming small hall of cold food." My wife has a clear view of the royal family, and she first saw ten red quilts. "There is a cockfighting competition in the palace, and the quilt of 10 is used as a bet, which shows that it is very interesting.

Liu She

Shooting willow is a game to practice archery. According to the records of the Ming Dynasty, shooting willow is to put pigeons in a gourd, then hang the gourd high on the willow tree, shoot the gourd with a bow, and the pigeon flies out, and judge the victory or defeat by the flying height of the flying pigeon.