The Legend of Qingming Festival

The Origin of Qingming Festival

Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese festival that falls on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox. It is a time for people to pay tribute to their ancestors and honor their departed loved ones. The origins of Qingming Festival can be traced back to ancient times when people believed that the spirits of the deceased would roam the earth during this time, making it an auspicious time to pay respects to them and offer sacrifices.

The Story of Jie Zitui

One of the most famous stories associated with Qingming Festival is the story of Jie Zitui, a loyal minister during the Spring and Autumn Period. Jie was known for his integrity and loyalty to his prince, Chong Er, who was banished from the kingdom by his stepmother. Jie followed Chong Er into the mountains and provided him with food and shelter for three years, even cutting meat from his own thigh to feed him when food was scarce.After Chong Er was reinstated as prince, he wanted to reward Jie for his loyalty. However, Jie refused any gifts and instead, retired to a mountain with his mother to live a life of seclusion. Chong Er later became king and went to visit Jie, but Jie refused to come out of his mountain retreat. In order to coax him out, the king ordered fires to be set on the mountain, but Jie still refused to leave.In desperation, the king ordered that the mountain be cut down, only to find Jie and his mother dead. In order to show his remorse, the king ordered that no fires be lit on the day Jie died and that only cold food be eaten, leading to the tradition of \"cold food\" on the day before Qingming Festival.

The Customs of Qingming Festival

In modern times, Qingming Festival is a time for families to gather together and pay their respects to their ancestors. People will visit their family graves, clean the tombs, and offer offerings of food and incense. It is also a time for people to enjoy the beauty of spring, with many cities holding outdoor activities such as kite-flying, tree planting, and flower appreciation.Another notable custom of Qingming Festival is the consumption of Qingming cake, a sweet rice cake with red bean paste that is eaten during the festival. This cake is said to have originated from the story of Jie Zitui, who used the leaves of willow trees to cook rice for Chong Er during their time in the mountains. The cake is traditionally shaped like a willow leaf to commemorate this story.Overall, Qingming Festival is a time for people to remember and honor their ancestors, as well as celebrate the beauty of spring and the renewal of life. It is a deeply rooted tradition in Chinese culture that has been celebrated for thousands of years.