The Characteristic Content and Form of Tomb-Sweeping Day

The name of Tomb-Sweeping Day is related to the weather and climate characteristics at this time. The Western Han Dynasty's "Huainanzi Astronomical Training" said: "On the fifteenth day after the vernal equinox, the bucket refers to B, and the Qingming wind is coming." "Qingming Wind" is a refreshing and clear wind. "When I was in 100 questions" said, "Everything grows at this time, clean and bright. So it is called Qingming. " Although Qingming, as a festival, was only formed in the Tang Dynasty, Tomb-Sweeping Day Qi, as a symbol of time sequence, has long been known by the ancients and clearly recorded in the Han Dynasty.

The longitude of the sun in Tomb-Sweeping Day is 15 degrees, which is an important traditional festival in China and is still one of the important festivals of the Chinese nation, including overseas Chinese. In traditional society, Tomb-Sweeping Day is a particularly grand festival. It is not only a festival to pay homage to the grave and remember the deceased relatives, but also a festival to walk and get close to nature. The folk activities around the two themes are rich and diverse, which is a grand view. It also has a long festival. Tomb-Sweeping Day (the15th day after the lunar vernal equinox, around April 5th of the Gregorian calendar) is only a symbolic time for festivals, and its customs and activities often last for five or six days to more than ten days (depending on the place). In modern society, the connotation, activities and scale of Tomb-Sweeping Day have changed greatly due to the changes in social life and cultural concepts and the restrictions of holiday system. However, it is still valued by Chinese people for its unique function and status, which has produced a social impact that cannot be ignored.

Qingming is a solar term representing phenology, which means sunny weather and lush vegetation. As the saying goes, "Qingming breaks snow, Grain Rain breaks frost." When the weather is clear, the climate in South China is warm and the spring is strong. But before and after Tomb-Sweeping Day, cold air still invaded from time to time. The average daily temperature in most parts of China has risen to above 12℃ (except in northeast and northwest areas), and spring ploughing and preparation for ploughing are busy all over the country, from north to south to the inside and outside of the Great Wall. "In the Qingming Festival, the wheat grows for three days", the wheat in the south of Huanghuai is about to start heading, the rape has blossomed, and the wheat in the northeast and northwest regions has also entered the jointing stage. In the later stage, we should pay close attention to fertilizer and water management and pest control.

Tomb-Sweeping Day has three characteristics: first, it has two "identities" of solar terms and festivals; Second, mainly engaged in outdoor activities (sweeping graves, hiking, etc.). ); Thirdly, it has two kinds of emotional atmosphere: solemnity (or sadness) (in grave-sweeping activities) and joy (in recreational activities such as hiking). The formation of this feature is closely related to its origin. From the perspective of origin and formation, Tomb-Sweeping Day is a festival that combines Tomb-Sweeping Day Qi, Cold Food Festival and Shangsi Festival.