Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2017-04-01

Tomb-sweeping Day is also known as the Ching Ming festival. Ching Ming is a solar term that has been in use for thousands of years. The term describes nature in this time of the year; in general, weather is getting warm and everything is clean, refreshing and exuberant.

The festival is called Tomb-sweeping Day because it has been a time-honored tradition to pay respects to one’s ancestors and remember deceased family members while tidying up the grave sites where they are buried.

Far from a symbolic gesture, the cleaning could be pretty tiring for some because most old grave sites are located in mountainous areas overgrown with weeds. Therefore, it is not uncommon to find a whole family, including young and old, bringing brooms, sickles and trash scoopers with them. Before or after cleaning, some kneel down or bow three times in front of the grave sites, others put flowers and offerings such as fruits or vegetables, still others burn incense sticks and ghost money.    [FULL  STORY]