Tomb Sweeping Festival in China
“This will save me a lot of trouble”. These
were the words of Ms. Zhao after preforming a loving tribute to her deceased
brother. Now she feels that he can have a perfect after life. Another Qing Ming
festival has come and gone. Throughout the past 2,500 years, millions of
Chinese people have flocked to their loved ones’ cemeteries on the weekend of
Qing Ming, also called Tomb Sweeping festival. The yearly holiday is different
than any celebration in the US or the UK. It is quite a spectacle to behold.
Chinese people believe that in the afterlife their loved ones
will use the same system as we do. And so each year, when the Qing Ming
festival begins, fake money, checks, and passports are burned to go up and
bless the deceased. Some people go so far as to make and burn paper boats,
servants, cars, and even paper homes. Everything is burned by the graves of
deceased relatives and loved ones. The cemeteries are so crowded during this
time that graveyard websites and apps have started up. You can create avatars to
go to a digital tomb and burn paper good for the afterlife. Celebrating Qing
Ming is now as simple as the click of a mouse. Cemeteries are not the only busy
spots. Parks are filled to the brim with families going on daytrips, all of
whom are celebrating the new season and warmer weather. The festival is a time
for both excitement and sorrow.
Jie Zitui was a faithful follower of Duke Wen of Jin.
Before he became a duke, Wen was in exile and without food. Jie Zitui brought
to him a meat soup. Wen enjoyed it greatly, and asked where the meat had come
from. Legend tells that Jie Zitui had cut the meat from his leg. Wen was awed
by Jie Zitui’s loyalty, and vowed to someday pay him back. Over the years, Wen
became Duke, and forgot about Jie Zitui. Zitui was in the forest, taking care
of his mother. One day Duke Wen decided to search for Jie Zitui to reward his
act of bravery. Taking the advice of the officials he set the forest on fire to
drive Zitui out. Both he and his mother burned to death. In regard of the two,
Wen declared that for three days all people must go without any fire. This
festival was called Han Shi, which was later changed to Qing Ming. And now each
year, the people of China visit their relatives’ graves and pay homage to the
deceased.
In ancient China, the Tomb Sweeping festival was
celebrated in ways different than those of today. Many brought whole roosters
to cemeteries, but today that is less common. Also, due to the story of Jie
Zitui and Duke Wen of Jin, people often ate only cold dishes during Qing
Ming. Burning paper money and other accessories was done the same
then as it is now done today. The willow tree was often thought of as a way to
ward off evil spirits, so willow branches were hung from doorposts and gates.
Some still believe that willow branches will keep you safe, but it was more
commonly practiced in ancient China. Although traditions have altered over the
years, Chinese people today still keep to many of the original festivities of
Qing Ming festival.
On the night of Qing Ming, Ms. Zhao burned wads of fake
money and ceremonial checks. In case her brother got bored in the afterlife,
she threw in a passport, to make traveling easy. “They probably have the same
system as we have on earth, so now he can buy whatever he wants.” Through the
generations, Ms. Zhao hopes that others will do the same for her, if there is
still room for her body. Burial space is running out in China, and many worry
about where their remains will be kept. The afterlife is so important to the
Chinese people that they will do anything to have a proper grave. Even if that
means going to the black market to buy it. Without a proper burial, where will
their relatives go to offer up gifts? Qing Ming brings joy, sorrow, and fear
into the hearts of China’s people. No matter if they celebrate the Tomb
Sweeping festival the same way as their ancestors or the modern way of today,
the story of Jie Zitui will stay with them, and the importance of Qing Ming
will remain.
No comments:
Post a Comment