What do Chinese do on Tomb Sweeping Day?

During Qingming, Chinese families visit the tombs of their ancestors to clean the gravesites, pray to their ancestors and make ritual offerings. Offerings would typically include traditional food dishes and the burning of joss sticks and joss paper.

How is Tomb Sweeping Day determined?

Like many Chinese holidays, its date is calculated using the Chinese lunar calendar. While the date of the holiday changes slightly every year, it generally falls in early April. Tomb Sweeping Day is an official public holiday in mainland China, and people are normally given one day off not counting weekends.

How long does Qingming last?

Qing Ming Festival falls on the 15th day after the spring equinox or the 106th day after winter solstice, namely in early April. However, people start visiting their relatives’ tombs 10 days before and continue for 10 days afterwards.

What is the meaning of Ching Ming?

The date of the festival is indicated on the Chinese calendar by the two characters: ching, meaning pure or clean, and ming, meaning brightness. Combined together, Ching Ming means clean and just. This date is also indicated on traditional Japanese calendars, where their culture has a similar observance.

What is the meaning of Qingming?

clear and bright
Qingming, literally meaning “clear and bright” , is one of the 24 dates that divide the solar year on the traditional Chinese calendar. The most important tradition of Qingming is to honor ancestors and commemorate deceased family members and relatives, usually at their grave sites.

Can you move house during Qingming?

Here are 5 myths surrounding Qing Ming Festival to take note of especially if you’re a homeowner (or going to be)! No shifting of houses. Moving into a vacant house during this time is not discouraged as bad energy or lost souls might still be lingering in the vacant house and bring bad luck or downfall to the family.

How do you pray for Qingming?

At Qingming, people usually worship their ancestors by burning incense and ‘paper money’ at their ancestors’ grave sites. They pray before their ancestors’ graves and beseech them to bless their families.