Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, combined the traditions of the Cold Food Festival (hanshi jie) and the Shangsi Festival.
The Cold Food Festival originated from a story of an exiled (流亡的) duke called Wen from the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC). Wen had no food to eat, so one of his followers, named Jie Zitui, cut a piece of his flesh from his own leg to make soup for Wen.
When Wen eventually became the ruler, he forgot about Jie, who had moved to a remote mountain with his mother. When Wen learned of Jie’s whereabouts, he ordered his army to set the forest on fire, hoping to force Jie out of hiding. The fire continued for three days and eventually Wen saw Jie and his mother holding on tightly to a burnt willow (柳) tree, dead. He buried them under the tree.
In honor of Jie, Wen announced that no fires should be lit on the day of his death and people should eat cold food, giving rise to the Cold Food Festival. This festival, which initially only existed in the state of Jin, gained recognition across China for its significance in honoring loyalty, and it continued to be celebrated.
Qingming Festival also incorporated elements from another ancient festival, the Shangsi Festival, which falls on the third day of the third month in the lunar calendar. As Qingming tomb-sweeping often takes place in suburban areas, it is accompanied by leisure activities such as bathing, outings, feasting and water sports. People not only honor their ancestors but also clean themselves, pray for blessings and enjoy the beauty of spring.
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