The Qingming Festival (Clear and Bright Festival) has been one of the most popular festivals in China for thousands of years. On the day, people go and pay respects to ancestors at their tombs. The festival takes place in early spring, when all life begins to renew. It is a good time for outings.

The festival originates in the Spring and Autumn Period. At that time, Duke Wen of the State of Jin was forced to live in exile for 19 years, but later he became king of the state with the help of Duke Mu of the State of Qin. Duke Wen rewarded those who followed him in his exile according to their merits. One of these, Jie Zitui, decided not to accept wealth and a high position. He preferred to live a secluded life with his mother on Mountain Mianshan. The duke personally went to look for Jie Zitui there; but even after several days, he couldn’t find him. He knew that Jie Zitui loved his mother deeply and would come out with his mother if he set the mountain on fire. This he did; and for three days and nights, the fire kept burning, until it finally reduced the whole area to ashes. Unfortunately, however, Jie and his mother were fund burnt to death. It turned out that he would rather die than accept a reward. The duke was very sad. He had Jie and his mother buried on the mountain; and he gave an order that every year on the anniversary of Jie’s death, all the citizens of his state should put out their kitchen fire and eat cold food prepared beforehand. Later, this he came a day on which people customarily swept and cleaned the tombs of their ancestors and mourn the dead. This custom continues until to day.

This article by Yang Tianqing and Daniel Kister.