The Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls on April 4 or 5 according to the Gregorian calendar each year, based on the Chinese lunar calendar. It is a time when people honor their ancestors and the deceased by paying their respects.

**Origin and History:**
The Qingming Festival has a long history that dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The festival is believed to have originated from ancient Chinese agricultural customs and the need to perform rituals for ancestors during the spring season. The springtime is associated with new beginnings, and the festival marks the end of winter and the start of planting.
One of the most popular legends about the Qingming Festival is that it was established by the Yellow Emperor, a semi-mythical figure who is revered as the ancestor of the Chinese people. Another legend suggests that the festival was established by the ancient Chinese deity, Qu Yuan, who is celebrated for his patriotism and is often associated with the Dragon Boat Festival, but some believe that the Qingming Festival is related to his sorrowful demise.
**Folk Customs:**
1. **Tomb-Sweeping:** The most significant activity on Qingming Day is tomb-sweeping, where families visit the graves of their ancestors to clean the tombs, remove weeds, and lay out offerings of food, paper money, and other items. The act of tomb-sweeping is believed to show respect for the deceased and to ensure their peace.
2. **Memorial Offerings:** People often prepare offerings such as fruit, tea, wine, and food, which are placed at the graveside. The offering of paper money or other paper goods is symbolic, as it is believed that the deceased will use these in the afterlife.
3. **Folding Paper Cranes:** It is also customary to fold paper cranes and burn them as an offering. These cranes are believed to serve as messengers between the living and the deceased.
4. **Paying Respect to the Ancestors:** At home, families may set up an altar with photos of deceased family members and offer incense, tea, and food.
5. **Wearing a Green Headband:** It is traditional for people to wear a green headband to ward off evil spirits and to ensure a good harvest.
6. **Pine Trees:** Planting pine trees or carrying them is also a custom, as pine trees are symbols of longevity and purity.
7. **No Washing:** In some areas, people avoid washing clothes on Qingming Day, as they believe it would wash away their good luck.
**Significance:**
The Qingming Festival holds great significance as it is not only a time for honoring ancestors but also for celebrating the new life that spring brings. It is a time of reconciliation and a reminder of the importance of family ties and the cycle of life. The festival serves as a moment for reflection and to pay tribute to those who have passed on, while also embracing the renewal of nature.
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