Why did Qingming insert willow branches to sweep the grave?

Qingming inserting willows is influenced by Buddhism. Guanyin holds willow branches in his hand and dips in water to spread all beings. Many people think that willow branches have the function of exorcising ghosts and evil spirits, and call them "ghost trees". Jia Sixie of the Northern Wei Dynasty wrote in the Book of Qi Yao Min: "Take Yang Liuzhi to the mansion, and a hundred ghosts will not enter the mansion." Because Tomb-Sweeping Day is a Ghost Festival, people insert willows and wear willows to ward off evil spirits in the season when wicker sprouts.

The custom of sweeping graves to worship ancestors in Tomb-Sweeping Day is related to the humanistic, natural and cultural contents such as beliefs, sacrifices and solar terms in the calendar. Since ancient times, the Chinese nation has been courteous to its ancestors and cautious about the future. In ancient times, agriculture was the main business of traditional society. In order to have a good harvest, in addition to praying for good weather, we have to ask our ancestors for blessing. Therefore, the tradition of the Spring Festival was gradually formed during the Qingming period.