What is Qingming in the 24 solar terms?

Tomb-Sweeping Day is one of the twenty-four solar terms in China and the fifth solar term.

Tomb-Sweeping Day was named after "The Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival shows everything". Qingming is a solar term that reflects the phenological changes in nature. At this time, the sun is shining, plants are sprouting, flowers are in full bloom, and nature presents a vibrant scene. In the south of China, it has become a clear and beautiful image at this time; It began to snow in the north, the temperature rose, and spring blossomed.

Tomb-Sweeping Day is both a solar term and a festival, and Tomb-Sweeping Day atmosphere provides important conditions for the formation of Tomb-Sweeping Day customs in terms of time and weather phenology. Tomb-Sweeping Day Qi, which is related to the phenology of 20 years old, is often used to guide farming, indicating that the weather is fine and spring ploughing is timely. Tomb-Sweeping Day is a day when people pay homage to their ancestors and pursue the future cautiously. Because of the integration of the two, Qingming has both natural and humanistic connotations.

The Historical Origin of Tomb-Sweeping Day

"Twenty-four solar terms" is the product of ancient farming civilization, which is related to the time of gossip and has a long history. The twenty-four solar terms were originally determined by the direction of Beidou bucket handle. Bucket handle started from "Yin position" and turned clockwise, one year old. When the barrel handle points to the "B position", it is clear. Therefore, Huainanzi said, "Fifteen days after the vernal equinox means B, and the wind will clear up."

Qingming is in a vibrant season, and the earth presents a scene of spring, which is a good time to go for a walk in the spring and to sweep the graves. Qingming has both natural and humanistic connotations, which is both a natural solar term and a traditional festival. Tomb-Sweeping Day is rich in festivals and customs. Grave-sweeping and outing are two major themes in Tomb-Sweeping Day.