I\u2019ve written about this before, but today is one of those holidays or festivals that we always celebrated. Obviously I\u2019m not Chinese and Claire wasn\u2019t Chinese, but we\u2019ve spent a fair amount of time in that part of the world and we always found that these Chinese holidays were invariably interesting and always seeped in tradition. Today, April 4 is Q\u012bngm\u00edng ji\u00e9 \u2014 the Tomb Sweeping Festival. It takes place every year on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox \u2014 this year it\u2019s April 4th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q\u012bngm\u00edng Festival is also called Tomb Sweeping Day because it is the time for Chinese people to show respect to their ancestors by cleaning their ancestors\u2019 tombs and placing offerings.\u00a0
Q\u012bngm\u00edng in Chinese means \u201cclearness\u201d and \u201cbrightness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Celebrating the Q\u012bngm\u00edng Festival has two halves, equally balanced between sadness and happiness, death and rebirth. Q\u012bngm\u00edng is generally observed quietly among family by visiting the gravesites of relatives and enjoying the outdoors. It\u2019s a really nice time to fondly share stories about ancestors \u2014 Chinese or not. That\u2019s the way we usually celebrated it.\u00a0
\u2014 30 \u2014<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I\u2019ve written about this before, but today is one of those holidays or festivals that we always celebrated. Obviously I\u2019m not Chinese and Claire wasn\u2019t Chinese, but we\u2019ve spent a fair amount of time in that part of the world … Continue reading