| Tomb-sweeping Day of China | |
|---|---|
| Apr 4, 2007 03:55 |   |
 | People of many countries have a special day for commemorating the dead. So far as I know, many states in US have a memorial day for dead soldiers, and France has its All Soul’s Day. China also has its Tomb-sweeping Day, which usually comes on April 5th according to solar calendar. It is a traditional day for worshiping ancestors and sweeping their tombs. |
| Apr 4, 2007 04:05 | #1 |
| Tomorrow is the Tomb-sweeping Day of China! Actually, Tomb-sweeping Day belongs to one of Chinese 24 solar terms and has a history of over 2000 years. Traditionally, it was a sign of climate indicating that the temperature would rise and rain falls would increase. It’s a good time for farmers to do the spring ploughing. In ancient times, Chinese people will do some special activities on this day including sweeping tombs, playing on the swings, going for a walk in the country, kicking leather balls, planting trees and flying kites. |
| Apr 4, 2007 04:13 | #2 |
| According to my observation, Chinese people in countryside pay more attention to this special day because it relates to their production of grains. But I don't think people living in urban areas care much about this day. Some units like schools usually organize their students to sweep tombs of martyrs. |
| Apr 4, 2007 20:28 | #3 |
| No, Caojuan, I can't agree with you. A lot of urban people come to visit their ancestors' tombs today. Some even burn the nether world's money in city. |
| Apr 5, 2007 01:31 | #4 |
| Yes, u r right! May, I've watched TV last night. A piece of news said that millions of urban people passing the ports in Shenzhen to go back to their hometown--to sweep their ancestors' tombs. And this has promoted the air traffic business for the past weeks. |
| Apr 5, 2007 19:06 | #5 |
| We don't really have this special day in the countries I know, but it is one area where Australia is different from Britain. In Britain there is no special day to visit parents' graves, but in Australia people might visit their mother's grave on Mother's day. So I guess that is a bit close to China's tomb sweeping day. |
| Apr 5, 2007 20:13 | #6 |
| Not exactly, Paul. Chinese people believe that our ancestors know what we are doing in everyday life and will bless us. So when Qingming comes, we will go to sweep the tombs of ancestors, generally the grandparents and parents, talk with them, burn the nether world's money to them, etc. |
| Apr 5, 2007 21:04 | #7 |
| This morning I heard a news that many people worship their late relatives through the net. It is said that there is a website that offers people enough space to upload the photos. People can upload their relatives’ photos on the net, and send flowers and melodious songs to them through the net. |
| Apr 5, 2007 22:43 | #8 |
| Paul, I think ANZAC Day might be a better comparison, especially when you consider the modern tendency to pay respects to revolutionary martyrs and heroes on Qingming as well as one's own ancestors. |
| Apr 5, 2007 22:58 | #9 |
| Me from another cast but like any religious festival in any nation, participate some times. |
| Apr 7, 2007 22:08 | #10 |
| A penpal in Guangzhou wrote me that she and her siblings returned home to visit the graves of their families. It is an interesting custom. Walking through grave yards here, many grave sites have been unattended for many years. |
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