Legendary story about Tomb-Sweeping Day (the origin of sweeping graves to worship ancestors)

Tomb-Sweeping Day is one of the traditional festivals in China and one of the twelve solar terms in China. On this day, people will go to the grave to worship their ancestors and express their thoughts for their deceased relatives. So, when did Tomb-Sweeping Day's grave-sweeping ancestor worship originate? Let's explore this legend together.

The Legend of Tomb-Sweeping Day

A long time ago, in a small village, there was a hardworking and kind villager named Wang Laohan. He is very filial. Every year, Tomb-Sweeping Day goes to the ancestral grave to pay homage. But his ancestral grave is located at the top of a high mountain, which is very steep and difficult to reach. Every time he goes to worship his ancestors, he has to make great efforts to climb to the top of the mountain.

One year in Tomb-Sweeping Day, Wang Laohan prepared an offering to visit the ancestral grave. However, the weather was terrible that day and it was raining cats and dogs. Wang Laohan flinched and didn't dare to go up the mountain to sweep the grave. He sat at home and looked helplessly at the rain outside the window, tears welled up in his eyes.

Just then, suddenly an old man appeared in front of Wang Laohan. The old man said to Wang Laohan, "I'm here to help you. Don't worry, I'll take you to the ancestral grave. " Wang Laohan nodded gratefully and followed the old man on his way to the ancestral grave.

The old man led Wang Laohan to the grave steps.

Step 1: Prepare the product.

Wang Laohan went to the village market with the old man and bought offerings such as chicken, fish, cakes and drinks. The old man told Wang Laohan that these offerings are used to pay homage to ancestors and should be offered sincerely.

Step 2: climb to the top of the mountain

Wang Laohan climbed to the top of the mountain with the old man, but this time there was no hardship and hardship in previous years. As if flying, they soon reached the place where their ancestral graves were located.

The third step: sweeping the grave to pay homage.

Wang Laohan and the old man knelt in front of the ancestral grave and laid out their offerings. Wang Laohan put his hands together, closed his eyes and prayed silently to express his thoughts for his ancestors. The old man stood quietly and looked at Wang Laohan.

Step 4: Feel the care of ancestors.

After the sacrifice, a breeze suddenly blew and the sky cleared up. Wang Laohan felt a warm force coming from his ancestral grave, as if his ancestors were sending him love and blessings.

The Significance of Tomb-Sweeping Day

Legends and stories of Tomb-Sweeping Day tell us that sweeping graves to worship ancestors is an important way to express the feelings of missing loved ones, and it is also an important way to pass on the blood of the family. By paying homage to our ancestors, we can feel their care and blessings more deeply, and at the same time, we can enhance family cohesion and the inheritance of traditional culture.

Tomb-Sweeping Day is also an important solar term, which marks the official arrival of spring. On this day, people will go for an outing, enjoy the beauty of spring and feel the vitality and vitality of nature. At the same time, it is also to commemorate the ancient literati, who often traveled in Tomb-Sweeping Day on this day, and left many classic works.

final result

Through this legend, we know that Tomb-Sweeping Day's grave-sweeping and ancestor worship originated from a hardworking and kind villager, Wang Laohan, and a mysterious old man. Their stories tell us that no matter in Tomb-Sweeping Day or on weekdays, we should cherish our loved ones and inherit the family blood and traditional culture. At the same time, Tomb-Sweeping Day is also an important solar term, which marks the arrival of spring and makes us feel the beauty and vitality of nature. Therefore, every year in Tomb-Sweeping Day, let's go to the grave to pay homage to our ancestors, express our thoughts for our deceased relatives, and feel the care and blessings of our ancestors. This is the tradition of our Chinese nation and the beautiful values that we should inherit and carry forward.