白下有山皆绕郭

清明无客不思家

Around the city of Nanjing, there are endless green hills when you look up.

Now is Qingming festival, all wanderers miss their hometown.

Qingming Festival, also known as Outing Festival, Xingqing Festival, March Festival, Ancestor Worship Festival, is the fifth festival of the 24 solar terms.

Qingming Festival is a festival in spring. It’s about getting close to the nature and enjoying the beauty in spring. It is also the time to inspire the vitality of life.

The traditional custom of Qingming Festival shows the harmony of heaven, earth and human that the ancestors pursued. And it focus on the idea that conforming to the laws of nature.[1]

Origin

Qingming Festival comes from ancestral beliefs and spring rituals in ancient time. It is both a natural solar term and a traditional festival.

Ancestor Worship and going for a walk in spring are the two major themes of Qingming Festival. These two themes have been passed down in China since ancient time.[2]

Custom

Ancestor Worship:

Tomb-sweeping and ancestor worship aim to show the respect for ancestors. It is an ancient belief that the rise and fall of the descendants are related to the graves of the ancestors. Therefore, it is a part of the festival ritual that should not be neglected.

Going for a walk in spring:

In March, the spring returns, a great time for excursions. Go for an outing in spring, whose ancient name is exploring spring. The meaning of this is to walk on the lawns, play in the countryside and enjoy the scenery.

Flying Kite:

Whenever the Qingming Festival, after flying the kite into the blue sky, cutting the string, and the kite is sent to the ends of the earth by the breeze. It is believed that it can eliminate diseases and bring fortune to you.[3]

Ancient poetry:

《采桑子·清明上巳西湖好》

Cai Sangzi•The wonderful scenery of the West Lake during Qingming Festival

清明上巳西湖好，满目繁华

争道谁家

绿柳朱轮走钿车

When you stroll by the West Lake, you will see the prosperity during Qingming Festival. The crowded lakeside is bustling with people. A carriage with red wheels and a pattern of gold silk passed under the green weeping willows.

游人日暮相将去，醒醉喧哗

路转堤斜

直到城头总是花

It was at night that squiffed friends left in hustle and bustle. Both road and lakeside are twisted and turns. Flowers bloom all the way from the crooked bank of the West Lake to the head of the city.

This poem reflects the spring outing custom of Qingming Festival. Ouyang Xiu, the poet, wrote a vivid picture of people traveling in the lively scene. The whole poem presents a gladsome atmosphere.

References:

Mp4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK5j-KTFRsM

[1]http://jn.wenming.cn/qingming/

[2]http://www.qh.xinhuanet.com/qmj/

[3]https://sghexport.shobserver.com/html/baijiahao/2021/04/03/399135.html