The Chinese Qingming Festival falls on either April 4 or 5. Also known as Tomb Sweeping Festival, it is a time for families to remember and pay respects to the ancestors.
中國的清明節不是逢四月四日就是四月五日。也以掃墓節著稱，這是個家人們紀念并憑吊祖先的時節。
清明節的歷史起源
Its origin dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period. Jin prince Chong'er ran away from the country with his supporters due to persecution. They were homeless for 19 years and things got so bad that Chong'er began to starve to death. One of the prince's faithful followers, Jie Zitui, cut a piece of muscle from his own leg and served it to his master. Chong'er was saved and, in 636 BC, he took back the throne.
清明節可以追溯到春秋時代。晉國公子重耳因受到迫害，率其支持者出逃。19年間，他們居無定所，漂泊四方。一次，他們的處境相當窘迫，重耳餓得快不行了。這時，忠心耿耿的介子推從自己的腿上割下一塊肉獻給了重耳，公子重耳得救了。公元前636年，他奪回了王位。
He rewarded the officials who had stayed loyal to him but he forgot about Jie Zitui. By the time Chong'er remembered him, a heartbroken Jie Zitui had traveled deep into the mountains. Chong'er wanted to persuade Jie to come home, so he had the hills set on fire. But Jie was later found beside a large tree, with his old mother on his back. Both were dead.
即位之后，重耳對支持者大加封賞，卻忘記了介子推。等到想起這位忠臣時，傷心的介子推早已遁入山林深處。重耳想逼他回來，所以就大火焚山。后來，在一棵大樹旁邊發現了背著老母的介子推。兩人都被燒死了。
Saddened by the tragedy, Chong'er ordered that fires could not be lit on the day of Jie Zitui's death. From this comes Hanshi Day, or Cold Food Day. People visited Jie Zitui's tomb the next day to pay their respects. Over time, Hanshi Day was replaced with tomb-sweeping day.
重耳悲痛欲絕。他下令，在介子推的忌日不準生火。寒食節即來源于此。寒食節的次日，人們到介子推的墳頭上致敬。
During the Tang Dynasty, the festival evolved into a tomb-sweeping event. By the time of the Song Dynasty, candles were also used. Today, Chinese families visit the tombs of their ancestors to pay respects. They sweep the tomb area and clear the weeds. Then they offer food, flowers, light candles, or burn incense and paper gifts for their ancestors. The one-day festival is also known as Clear Bright Festival or Ancestor's Day.
唐朝期間，這節日演變成一項掃墓的活動。到宋朝時，蠟燭也被使用。如今，中國家族拜訪他們祖先的墳墓以致敬。他們打掃墓區并清除雜草。接著他們供奉食物、鮮花、點燃蠟燭，或是點香和燒紙扎祭品給他們的祖先。這為期一天的節日也被稱作清明節或祭祖日。
清明節最著名詩歌《清明》英譯
《清明》（唐.杜牧）
清明時節雨紛紛，路上行人欲斷魂。
借問酒家何處有？牧童遙指杏花村。
許淵沖英譯(韻式aabb)
A drizzling rain falls like tears on the Mourning Day;
The mourner's heart is going to break on his way.
Where can a wineshop be found to drown his sad hours?
A cowherd points to a cot 'mid apricot flowers.
楊憲益、戴乃迭英譯《清明》(無韻譯法)
It drizzles endless during the rainy season in spring,
Travelers along the road look gloomy and miserable.
When I ask a shepherd boy where I can find a tavern,
He points at a distant hamlet nestling amidst apricot blossoms.
