Stories and legends of Tomb-Sweeping Day (remembering ancestors and offering sacrifices to sweep away the origin of tradition)

Tomb-Sweeping Day is one of the traditional festivals in China, and it is also an important festival to worship ancestors in China. Every year in Tomb-Sweeping Day, people pay homage to their ancestors, sweep graves and pay homage to their deceased relatives. There are many stories and legends about the origin of Tomb-Sweeping Day, the most famous of which are the stories in Lisao and Nine Songs of the Chu Dynasty.

The origin of Tomb-Sweeping Day can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period more than 3,000 years ago. At that time, the doctor of the State of Chu, who was loyal to the country, was excluded by the nobles and finally threw himself into the river. In order to commemorate his loyalty and patriotism, people hold boat races and sacrificial activities in Tomb-Sweeping Day every year.

It is said that after Qu Yuan threw himself into the river, people rowed for his body, hoping to find his body and bury it together. However, due to the rapidity of the river, Qu Yuan's body could not be found. In order to prevent fish and shrimp from eating his body, people put rice and dishes in succession, hoping that after fish and shrimp were full, they would not eat Qu Yuan's body again. This is why people put food in front of graves when they visit them in Tomb-Sweeping Day.

Besides the story of Qu Yuan, there is another story related to Tomb-Sweeping Day, which is the story in Nine Songs. According to legend, during the Spring and Autumn Period, Qu Yuan, the monarch of the State of Chu, was ostracized by nobles and finally threw himself into the river. His wife, Cai Huangong, goes to Tomb-Sweeping Day to pay homage to him every year. When she was paying homage, she sang a sad song and touched God. The river actually rolled into a mountain, forming the tomb of Lord Cai Huangong.

In the traditional customs of Tomb-Sweeping Day, sweeping graves is one of the most important links. In order to remember the ancestors, people will prepare sacrifices and paper money in advance and go to the grave to worship. During the worship, people will light paper money, burn incense to worship their ancestors, and put some sacrifices, such as fruit, wine and cakes. After the worship, people will clean the cemetery, sweep away fallen leaves and weeds, and then build tombstones with mud to pay tribute to the ancestral tablets.

Besides ancestor worship, there is another important activity in Tomb-Sweeping Day, that is, going for an outing and enjoying flowers. Tomb-Sweeping Day is the season of spring, with everything reviving and a hundred flowers blooming. People will choose a place with beautiful scenery, take a walk together, enjoy the beauty of spring and feel the vitality of nature.

During the outing, people will also play some traditional games and activities, such as flying kites, swinging and playing polo. These activities can not only increase people's entertainment, but also enhance the feelings between relatives and friends and bring them closer together.

Tomb-Sweeping Day is an important traditional festival. This is not only a day to remember our ancestors and pay homage to our deceased relatives, but also a wonderful time for people to enjoy spring. Through ancestor worship and flower viewing, people can feel the cycle of life and the continuation of vitality, and they can also cherish the happiness and happiness in front of them more.

The stories and legends of Tomb-Sweeping Day let us know the origin and significance of this festival. By worshipping ancestors and enjoying flowers, we can remember our ancestors, feel the continuation of life and enjoy the beauty of spring. On this day in Tomb-Sweeping Day, let's miss our lost relatives and be grateful for the beauty of life.