The Ghost Festival, also known as the Tomb-Sweeping Day or Qingming Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival that honors ancestors and spirits. Here are the origins and customs of the Ghost Festival in English:

**Origins:**
The Ghost Festival is believed to have originated from ancient Chinese beliefs in the cycle of life and death. It is thought to be a time when the spirits of the deceased visit the world of the living. This festival is one of the four major Chinese festivals, along with the Spring Festival (New Year), the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
**Customs:**
1. **Tomb-Sweeping (扫墓 - Sǎomù):** Families visit the graves of their ancestors to clean and pay respects. They may sweep the tomb, offer incense, burn paper money (as a symbol of providing for the spirits in the afterlife), and place offerings of food and drinks.
2. **Lantern Floating (放河灯 - Fàng hédiān):** People release lanterns into rivers or lakes, symbolizing the release of spirits and the guidance of souls to the afterlife. The lanterns often carry wishes for the deceased.
3. **Offering Food to Ghosts (祭鬼 - Jìguǐ):** Homes and streets are adorned with paper cuttings of food and clothing, and incense is burned as offerings to the ghosts. It is believed that the spirits can eat these offerings and be comforted.
4. **Noodles for Ghosts (鬼节面 - Guǐjié miàn):** Some regions have the custom of making noodles specifically for the ghosts. These noodles are often long and uncut, symbolizing longevity.
5. **Avoiding Certain Activities:** Many people believe that the spirits are particularly active during the Ghost Festival, so they avoid activities like moving to a new house, getting married, or starting new projects.
6. **Special Foods:** Traditional foods like rice dumplings (粽子 - Zòngzi) and rice balls (汤圆 - Tángyuán) are often prepared and shared during the festival.
7. **Performing Good Deeds:** It is considered auspicious to perform good deeds during the Ghost Festival, such as helping the poor or giving to charity, as it can ease the spirits' passage to the afterlife.
The Ghost Festival is a time for reflection and respect, and these customs are meant to honor the memory of those who have passed and to ensure their well-being in the afterlife.
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