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Qing Ming Festival
Qing Ming, which means clear and bright in
Chinese, falls in April, with dates varies
each year. It is both the fifth term in the
traditional lunar calendar and a festival to
hold memorial ceremony for the dead. It is a
time to express one's grief for his lost
relatives. An ancient elegiac poem, which
described a grievous woman, was read that
vines tangled in vain and weeds crept in the
graveyard, and her husband slept there
lonely. It was so difficult to endure for
her as if summer in the day and winter at
night. And her only wish was to reunite with
him after death.
People often go to sweep and weed graves
with whole family and take a walk in the
countryside as well. In Tang Dynasty, the
habit of taking an excursion on this day was
developed. At this time, spring returns and
dominates the earth again. The feel of
growing life is in the air, with sap
ascending in trees and buds bursting. And
the willow branches inserted on each gate
add vigor and vitality to the surroundings.
But it actually means more than that. This
custom can be traced back to over one
thousand years ago.
During the Period of Spring and Autumn in
the Jin Kingdom, one of the King's sons was
called Chong Er. Jealous of his talent, a
concubine falsely accused him of rebellion
to make her son the crown prince. He had no
choice but to flee and with him were some
officials. They hid themselves in a mountain
and went hungry for quite some time. An
official named Jie Zitui took great pain to
cut some flesh from his thigh and cooked it
for Chong Er. When the fact was known the
young master was moved to tears and knelt
down in gratitude. And Jie replied his best
repayment should be a just king. They lived
a life of hunger and cold for three years
until the evil concubine died. Many soldiers
were sent to look for him and to escort him
back home. Going into the carriage, he saw
an official packed an old mat onto a horse,
he said laughingly, 'What on earth is the
use of that? Throw it away!' Jie Zitui heard
it and sighed, 'It is hardship that can be
shared with his majesty but not prosperity.'
So he went away quietly and lived in
seclusion with his old mother.
As Chong Er became king, he rewarded many
people but he forgot Jie Zitui. He did not
realize it until was reminded. However his
invitation was refused and he flared up.
Soldiers were ordered to burn up the
mountain to force Jie to come out. Finally
they found Jie and his mother scorched under
a willow. He would rather die than yield to
the power. Chong Er was so overwhelmed with
regret that he ordered people hold memorial
ceremony for Jie. So every year on that day
folks mourned for him and the day before ate
cold meals, which avoided making fire. Later
the custom of inserting willow branches on
gates was also added.
清明时节雨纷纷
路上行人欲断魂
借问酒家何处有
牧童遥指杏花村
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