Burning paper gifts for the departed.

This article is about the festival, for the solar term, see Qingming

The Qingming Festival (traditional Chinese: 清明節; simplified Chinese: 清明节; pinyin: Qīngmíngjié, Vietnamese language: Tết Thanh Minh), meaning Clear and Bright Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival on the 104th day after the winter solstice (or the 15th day from the Spring Equinox), usually occurring around April 5 of the Gregorian calendar (see Chinese calendar). Every leap year, Qing Ming is on April 4. Astronomically, it is also a solar term (See Qingming). In solar terms, the Qingming festival is on the 1st day of the 5th solar term, which is also named Qingming. Its name denotes a time for people to go outside and enjoy the greenery of springtime (踏青 Tàqīng, "treading on the greenery"), and also to tend to the graves of departed ones. It is an official public holiday in the Republic of China, as well as in Hong Kong and Macau though not in the People's Republic of China. Image File history File links Drawing of a Chinese family burning paper gifts for the departed. ... Image File history File links Drawing of a Chinese family burning paper gifts for the departed. ... Qingming (清明) is a solar term begins when Sun lies between the celestial longitude of 15° and 30°. It sometimes refers in particular to the day when Sun exactly at the celestial longitude of 15°. Introduction Qingming usually begins around April 5, and ends around April 20. ... Traditional Chinese characters refers to one of two standard sets of printed Chinese characters. ... Simplified Chinese character (Simplified Chinese: or ; traditional Chinese: or ; pinyin: or ) is one of two standard sets of Chinese characters of the contemporary Chinese written language. ... Pinyin, more formally called Hanyu Pinyin (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ), is the most common variant of Standard Mandarin romanization system in use. ... Vietnamese (tiếng Việt, or less commonly Việt ngữ[2]), formerly known under the French colonization as Annamese (see Annam), is the national and official language of Vietnam. ... The Traditional Chinese holidays have been part of Chinese tradition for thousands of years; they are an essential part of Chinese culture. ... Illumination of Earth by Sun on the day of the northern hemisphere winter solstice Illumination of Earth by Sun on the day of the southern hemisphere winter solstice In astronomy, the winter solstice is the moment when the earth is at a point in its orbit where one hemisphere is... is the 95th day of the year (96th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the calendar of religious holidays and periods, see liturgical year. ... The Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, incorporating elements of a lunar calendar with those of a solar calendar. ... A Solar term is one of 24 days in the traditional East Asian lunisolar calendars that match a particular astronomical events or signify some natural phenomenon. ... Qingming (清明) is a solar term begins when Sun lies between the celestial longitude of 15° and 30°. It sometimes refers in particular to the day when Sun exactly at the celestial longitude of 15°. Introduction Qingming usually begins around April 5, and ends around April 20. ... For other uses, see Holiday (disambiguation). ... For the Chinese civilization, see China. ...

The transcription of the term Qingming may appear in a number of different forms, some of which are:

• Qingming
• Qing Ming
• Qing Ming Jie
• Ching Ming
• Ching Ming Chieh

Introduction

The holiday is also known by a number of other names in the English language: The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

• All Souls Day (not to be confused with the Roman Catholic holiday, All Souls Day, of the same name)
• Clear Brightness Festival
• Festival for Tending Graves
• Grave Sweeping Day
• Chinese Memorial Day
• Tomb Sweeping Day
• Spring Remembrance

Tomb Sweeping Day and Clear Brightness Festival are the most common English translations of Qingming Festival. Tomb Sweeping Day is used in several English language newspapers published in the Republic of China. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      As a... All Souls Day by William Bouguereau All Souls Day (formally, Commemoratio omnium Fidelium Defunctorum or Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed), also called Defuncts Day in Mexico and Belgium, is the day set apart for the commemoration of the faithful departed. ... For the Chinese civilization, see China. ...

For the Chinese, it is a day to remember and honour one's ancestors at grave sites. Young and old pray before the ancestors, sweep the tombs and offer food, tea, wine, chopsticks, (joss) paper accessories, and/or libation to the ancestors. The rites are very important to most Chinese and especially farmers. Some people carry willow branches with them on Qingming, or put willow branches on their gates and/or front doors. They think that willow branches help ward off the evil ghosts that wander on Qingming. Also on Qingming, people go on family outings, start the spring plowing, sing, dance, and Qingming is a time where young couples start courting. Another popular thing to do is fly kites (in shapes of animals, or characters from Chinese opera). Ancestor worship, also ancestor veneration, is a religious practice based on the belief that ones ancestors possess supernatural powers. ...

The April Fifth Movement and the Tiananmen Incident were major events on Qingming that took place in the history of the People's Republic of China. When Premier Zhou Enlai died in 1976, thousands visited him during the festival to pay respect. In the Republic of China, April 4th coincides with the passing of Chiang Kai-shek and the date is designated as a national holiday. The April Fifth Movement was a mass movement that took place in the Peoples Republic of China and culminated on April 5, 1976. ... This article is about the protest in 1976. ... The history of the Peoples Republic of China details the history of mainland China since October 1, 1949, when, after a near complete victory by the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the Chinese Civil War, Mao Zedong proclaimed the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) from atop Tiananmen... Zhou Enlai (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chou En-lai) (March 5, 1898 – January 8, 1976), a prominent Communist Party of China leader, was Premier of the Peoples Republic of China from 1949 until his death in January 1976, and Chinas foreign minister from 1949... is the 94th day of the year (95th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Chiang Kai-shek (October 31, 1887 – April 5, 1975) was the Chinese military and political leader who assumed the leadership of the Kuomintang (KMT) after the death of Sun Yat-sen in 1925. ...

On a note, the overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asian nations such as Singapore and Malaysia also practice this custom. However the practice is in decline in these regions. Languages various Religions Predominantly Taoism, Mahayana Buddhism, traditional Chinese religions, and atheism. ... Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ...

Hanshi, the day before Qingming, was created by Chong'er, the Duke Wen of the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period when he accidentally killed his personal friend and servant Jie Zhitui (介之推) (or Jie Zitui) and his mother in a fireblaze in the hope of making him return to him (Chong'er). On Hanshi, people were not allowed to use fires to heat up food, thus nicknaming it the Cold Food Festival. Eventually, 300 years ago, the Hanshi "celebration" was combined with the Qingming festival, but later abandoned by most people. Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Duke Wen of Jin (晉文公) (697 BC - 628 BC) lead the state of Jin in the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history from 636 BC to 628 BC. His name was Ji Chonger (姬重耳) and he was the son of Duke Xian (晉獻公). He was nicknamed Chonger (重耳), although there is... Categories: Ancient Chinese states | China-related stubs ... The Spring and Autumn Period (Chinese: ; Pinyin: ) was a period in Chinese history, which roughly corresponds to the first half of the Eastern Zhou dynasty (from the second half of the 8th century BC to the first half of the 5th century). ...

Qingming itself was created by the Tang Emperor Xuanzong in 732. It is said that because the wealthy held too many expensive, elaborate ancestor-worshipping ceremonies, in a needed effort to lower this expense, Emperor Xuanzong declared that respects could be formally paid at ancestor's graves only on Qingming. ^{[citation needed]} For the band, see Tang Dynasty (band). ... Emperor Tang Xuanzong (唐玄宗) (September 8, 685 - May 3, 762), born Li Longji (李隆基), was the sixth emperor of the Tang dynasty of China, reigning from 712 to 756. ...

Qingming in painting

Main article: Along the River During Qingming Festival

The Qingming scroll, an 18th century remake of a 12th century original by Zhang Zeduan (1085-1145) from the Song Dynasty.

The famous Qingming scroll by Zhang Zeduan is an ancient Chinese painting which portrays the scene of Kaifeng city, the capital of Song Dynasty during Qingming period. Panorama of Along the River During Qingming Festival, an 18th century remake of the 12th century original Along the River During Qingming Festival (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Hanyu Pinyin: ) is generally attributed to the Song Dynasty artist, Zhang Zeduan (1085-1145). ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (810x489, 151 KB) Description: Qingming-scroll (清明上河圖 QÄ«ngmíng shàng hé tú) by the Chinese painter Zhang Zeduan (Song-Dynasty Source: from the Chinese Wikipedia Uploaded by: --Immanuel Giel 09:18, 17 January 2006 (UTC) Other versions: none File links... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (810x489, 151 KB) Description: Qingming-scroll (清明上河圖 QÄ«ngmíng shàng hé tú) by the Chinese painter Zhang Zeduan (Song-Dynasty Source: from the Chinese Wikipedia Uploaded by: --Immanuel Giel 09:18, 17 January 2006 (UTC) Other versions: none File links... Panorama of Along the River During Qingming Festival, an 18th century remake of the 12th century original Along the River During Qingming Festival (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Hanyu Pinyin: ) is generally attributed to the Song Dynasty artist, Zhang Zeduan (1085-1145). ... Zhang Zeduan (Traditional: 張擇端; Simplified: 张择端; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chang Tse-tuan) was a Chinese painter. ... Northern Song in 1111 AD Capital Bianjing (汴京) (960–1127) Linan (臨安) (1127–1276) Language(s) Chinese Religion Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism Government Monarchy Emperor  - 960–976 Emperor Taizu  - 1126–1127 Emperor Qinzong  - 1127–1162 Emperor Gaozong  - 1278–1279 Emperor Bing History  - Zhao Kuangyin taking over the throne of the Later Zhou... Zhang Zeduan (Traditional: 張擇端; Simplified: 张择端; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chang Tse-tuan) was a Chinese painter. ... Kaifeng (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: KāifÄ“ng; Wade-Giles: Kai-feng), formerly known as Bianliang (汴梁; Wade-Giles: Pien-liang), is a prefecture-level city in eastern Henan province, Peoples Republic of China. ... Northern Song in 1111 AD Capital Bianjing (汴京) (960–1127) Linan (臨安) (1127–1276) Language(s) Chinese Religion Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism Government Monarchy Emperor  - 960–976 Emperor Taizu  - 1126–1127 Emperor Qinzong  - 1127–1162 Emperor Gaozong  - 1278–1279 Emperor Bing History  - Zhao Kuangyin taking over the throne of the Later Zhou...

Qingming in literature

Qingming was frequently mentioned in Chinese literature. Among these, the most famous one is probably Du Mu's poem (simply titled "Qingming"): Chinese literature spans back thousands of years, from the earliest recorded dynastic court archives to the matured fictional novel arising in the medieval period to entertain the masses of literate Chinese. ... Du Mu (杜牧, pinyin: Dù Mù, 803 - 852) was a leading realistic Chinese poet of the late Tang dynasty. ...

Traditional Chinese / Simplified Chinese / pinyin

清明時節雨紛紛 / 清明时节雨纷纷 / qīng míng shí jié yǔ fēn fēn

路上行人欲斷魂 / 路上行人欲断魂 / lù shàng xíng rén yù duàn hún

借問酒家何處有 / 借问酒家何处有 / jiè wèn jiǔ jiā hé chù yǒu

牧童遙指杏花村 / 牧童遥指杏花村 / mù tóng yáo zhǐ xìng huā cūn

English translation

A drizzling rain falls like tears on the Mourning Day;

The mourner's heart is breaking on his way.

Where can a hostel be found to drown his sadness?

A cowherd points to Xing Hua village in the distance.

• Note: (The word: 酒家 can have multiple meaning. 1. Winehouse 2. Hostel, Hotel or Motel)

In the Vietnamese epic poem The Tale of Kieu, Qingming is also mentioned as the occasion where the protagonist Kieu meets a ghost. The lines describing the sceneries during this festival remain some of the most well-known lines in Vietnamese literature: Traditional Chinese (Traditional Chinese: 正體字/繁體字, Simplified Chinese: 正体字/繁体字) refers to one of two standard sets of printed Chinese characters. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Pinyin, more formally called Hanyu Pinyin (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ), is the most common variant of Standard Mandarin romanization system in use. ... The first six lines of the poem written in Chữ Nôm The Tale of Kiều is an epic poem in Vietnamese written by the 18th century writer Nguyễn Du (1766-1820), widely regarded as the most significant work of Vietnamese literature. ...

Ngày xuân con én đưa thoi

Thiều quang chín chục đã ngoài sáu mươi

Cỏ non xanh tận chân trời

Cành lê trắng điểm một vài bông hoa

Thanh Minh trong tiết tháng ba

Lễ là Tảo mộ, hội là Đạp thanh

Gần xa nô nức yến oanh

Chị em sắm sửa bộ hành chơi xuân

English translation

Swift swallows and spring days were shuttling by

of ninety radiant ones three score had fled.

Young grass spread all its green to heaven's rim;

some blossoms marked pear branches with white dots.

Now came the Feast of Light in the third month

with graveyard rites and junkets on the green.

As merry pilgrims flocked from near and far,

the sisters and their brother went for a stroll.

See also

• Cold Food Festival, three consecutive days starting the day before the Qingming Festival
• Double Ninth Festival, the other day to visit and clean up the cemeteries in Hong Kong
• Ghost Festival
• Day of the Dead
• Hansik, a related Korean holiday on the same day
• Along the River During Ching Ming Festival by Zhang Zeduan

Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... The Double Ninth Festival (Chinese: ; pinyin: Chóngjiǔ, also Traditional Chinese: 重陽節; pinyin: Chóngyángjié or Chung Yeung Festival in Hong Kong) dated on the ninth day of the ninth month in Chinese calendar, is a traditional Chinese holiday, mentioned in writing since before the East Han period. ... Castle Ashby Graveyard Northamptonshire A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. ... This article is about the Chinese Ghost Festival. ... For other uses, see Day of the Dead (disambiguation). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Cold Food Festival. ... Panorama of Along the River During Ching Ming Festival ALONG THE RIVER DURING CHING MING FESTIVAL known in Chinese as 《清明上河圖》 was the work of Song Dynasty artist, Zhang Zeduan. ... Zhang Zeduan (Traditional: 張擇端; Simplified: 张择端; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chang Tse-tuan) was a Chinese painter. ...

External links

• A Traditional Chinese website describing the origin and creation of Qingming Festival