Qing Ming, which means clear and bright in Chinese, falls on April 5th this 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.
清明節,這意味著清晰和明亮,落在今年4月5日。這是第五學期在傳統的農歷和節日為死者舉行紀念儀式。這是一個時間來表達一個失去親人的悲痛。一個古老的挽歌詩,描述了一個嚴重的女人,閱讀,藤蔓纏繞徒然和雜草爬在墓地,和她的丈夫睡在那里孤獨。好像是如此難以忍受她晚上當天夏季和冬季。和她唯一的愿望就是死后與他團聚。
人們經常和全家一起去掃描和雜草墳墓和散步在鄉下。在唐代,采取一次短途旅行的習慣在這一天。在這個時候,春天的回報并再次主宰地球。成長的感覺生活是在空中,與sap提升在樹木和味蕾破裂。和柳枝插在每個門增添生機與活力的環境。但它實際上意味著更多。這種風俗可以追溯到一千多年前。
春天和秋天期間金王國,國王的一個兒子名叫Chong Er。嫉妒他的才華,妾誣告他的反抗讓她的兒子皇太子。他別無選擇,只能逃跑,被一些官員。他們躲在一個山,走餓了很長一段時間。一位官員名叫介子推了巨大的痛苦減少一些從他的大腿肉和煮熟的Chong Er。當事實被年輕的主人,跪下來感激感動得落下了眼淚。和杰回答說他最好的回報應該是王。他們過著饑餓和寒冷的生活了三年,直到邪惡妾死了。許多士兵被派去尋找他,護送他回家。進入馬車,他看見一位官員老席上一匹馬,他笑著說,“那到底是使用什么?扔掉它!介子推聽見了,嘆了口氣,“這是困難,可以與他的威嚴但不能共享繁榮。所以他平靜地走了,住在和他的老母親隱居。
作為Chong Er作王,他的回報很多人但他忘了介子推。他才意識到這是提醒。然而他的邀請被拒絕,他突然爆發。士兵被命令燒上山迫使揭出來。最后他們發現杰和他的母親燒焦的柳樹下。他寧死也不屈服于權力。重耳略遺憾所淹沒,他命令人們為杰舉行紀念儀式。所以每年在這一天人們為他哀哭和前一天吃寒冷的食物,避免使火。后插入柳枝的習俗在蓋茨還補充說。
