The origin and customs of Tomb-Sweeping Day.

Tomb-Sweeping Day, also known as the outing festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day, March Festival and ancestor worship festival, usually falls on or around April 5 of the Gregorian calendar. It is a grand traditional Spring Festival of the Chinese nation, and it belongs to a traditional cultural festival that pursues the future with caution, worships ancestors and promotes filial piety.

? The origin of Tomb-Sweeping Day? ?

According to legend, during the Spring and Autumn Period, Zhong Er, the son of the Jin Dynasty, went into exile to escape persecution. On the way to exile, in a deserted place, I was tired and hungry, and I couldn't stand up anymore. I searched for it for a long time, but I couldn't find anything to eat. When everyone was extremely anxious, I went to a secluded place with the minister of reconciliation, cut a piece of meat from my thigh and cooked a bowl of broth for my son to drink. Zhong Er gradually recovered his spirit. Zhong Er was moved to tears when he found that the meat on his leg had been removed.

Nineteen years later, Zhong Er became the monarch, that is, the historical Jin Wengong. After he ascended the throne, Wen Gong rewarded the heroes who accompanied him in exile at first, but forgot to push the meson. Many people complained about meson push and advised him to admire it. However, mesons despise those who strive for merit the most. He packed his bags and quietly went to Miandi Mountain to live in seclusion with his old mother.

Hearing this, Jin Wengong was ashamed and personally took someone to ask Jiexiu, but Jiexiu had left home for Mianshan. Mianshan Mountain is high and dangerous, with dense trees. It's hard to find two people. Someone offered a plan to burn Mianshan from three sides and force a meson to push out. The fire burned all over Mianshan, but there was no trace of meson push. After the fire was put out, it was found that Jiezitui had sat under an old willow tree with his old mother on his back and died. Jin Wengong cried. When I was buried, I found a skirt in a tree hole, which said, "May my Lord be clear forever." To commemorate meson tui, Jin Wengong ordered that this day be designated as Cold Food Festival.

The following year, Jin Wengong led ministers to climb mountains to pay homage. When he discovered that the old willow tree had come back from the dead, he gave it the title of "Qingming Willow" and told the world that the day after the Cold Food Festival was designated as Tomb-Sweeping Day.

The Han Dynasty called the Cold Food Festival a no-smoking festival. On this day, people's families are not allowed to make fires. At night, candles were lit in the palace, and the fire spread to the homes of dignitaries.

? Tomb-Sweeping Day custom?

? 1. Go hiking?

Also called spring outing. It was called Tanchun and Xunchun in ancient times. Qingming in April, spring returns to the earth, and nature presents a vibrant scene everywhere, which is a good time to go for an outing. China folks have always maintained the habit of going for an outing in Tomb-Sweeping Day.

? 2. plant trees?

Before and after Tomb-Sweeping Day, the spring was bright and the spring rain was falling, and the survival rate of planted seedlings was high and the growth was fast. Therefore, China has the habit of planting trees in Qingming since ancient times. Some people even call Tomb-Sweeping Day Arbor Day. The custom of planting trees has been passed down to this day. 1979, the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) stipulated March 12 every year as China 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.

? 3. Fly a kite?

Flying kites is also the most popular activity in Tomb-Sweeping Day. During their stay in Tomb-Sweeping Day, people not only wore it during the day, but also at night. At night, a string of colored lanterns is hung under the kite or on the wind-stabilizing stay, like twinkling stars, which is called "magic lamp". Someone used to put kites in the blue sky, then cut the strings and let the breeze send them to the ends of the earth. It is said that this can eliminate diseases and disasters and bring good luck to yourself.

? 4. shoot willow?

Shooting willow is a game to practice archery. According to the records of the Ming Dynasty, pigeons were placed in gourds, then the gourds were hung high on willow trees, and the gourds and pigeons flew out with bows, and the victory or defeat was judged by the height of the flying pigeons.

? 5. cockfighting?

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 the emperor. For example, Tang Xuanzong likes cockfighting best.

Today, Tomb-Sweeping Day still occupies an important position in people's daily life. Commemorate our ancestors and pursue the future with caution; Remembering the martyrs, looking forward to the future and creating a happy future are the themes of our festival.