Qingming Festival: Honoring Ancestors and Embracing Life's Continuity

清明节，既是怀念，也是启示。让我们在纪念中感悟生命，在思念中传承文化。

April 4, 2025

Qingming Festival: Customs and Traditions

Qingming Festival, one of China’s four major traditional holidays alongside the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, is a celebration deeply rooted in cultural traditions. Held annually during the spring, when the weather is mild and nature comes alive, Qingming symbolizes not only the awakening of the earth but also the remembrance of ancestors, marking the passing of time and the continuity of life. The customs associated with Qingming are diverse and include tomb sweeping, tree planting, flying kites, and various folk activities. These customs blend natural cycles with human traditions, illustrating the harmonious integration of heaven, earth, and humanity in Chinese philosophy.

Traditional Customs of Qingming Festival

During Qingming, people engage in a variety of activities, the most important of which is tomb sweeping and ancestor worship. This ritual is performed to honor and remember the deceased members of the family. Relatives visit ancestral graves, cleaning tombstones and offering flowers, food, and other tributes as expressions of respect and love. In addition to tomb sweeping, tree planting is also a common practice, symbolizing life’s continuity and the flourishing of nature.

Another significant tradition is the practice of "treading on the green" or "踏青" (tǎ qīng), which involves outdoor excursions to enjoy the beauty of spring. People also fly kites, a pastime believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune. Activities such as willow tree planting and tug-of-war are also part of the festive spirit, infusing the festival with energy and joy.

Qingming Festival and Ancestor Worship

The core significance of Qingming Festival is to honor and remember one’s ancestors. For the Chinese, ancestral reverence is a deeply ingrained cultural practice. This respect spans multiple generations, encompassing not only parents and grandparents but also distant forebears. This contrasts with European traditions of ancestor veneration, which focus primarily on remembrance; in China, it represents a spiritual connection and continuity.

During Qingming, family members gather to perform rituals that link them to their ancestors, reinforcing the idea of respecting life and preserving family culture. In contrast to European practices, which focus mainly on remembrance, Qingming represents a deeper connection with one’s heritage, emphasizing the harmonious relationship between heaven, earth, and humanity, as well as a philosophy of living in accordance with natural laws.

The Link Between Olfactory Memory and Qingming

Qingming Festival is not only about cultural rituals but also evokes deep emotional connections. The sense of smell plays a powerful role in memory recall. Research shows that the olfactory bulb is directly connected to two key brain areas— the amygdala and the hippocampus— which are crucial for memory and emotional processing. Unlike visual, auditory, or tactile stimuli, smells have a unique ability to trigger vivid memories. During Qingming, the fragrance of flowers, incense, or even a scent reminiscent of a loved one can bring back memories of those who have passed, reconnecting us with the past in a profound way.

International Observance of Qingming Festival

While Qingming is a distinctly Chinese holiday, its influence extends to several other countries and regions. Countries such as Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore also celebrate the festival, each incorporating its own local customs and traditions. On May 20, 2006, Qingming was included in the first batch of China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage list, marking its importance not only within China but also on the global stage.

Conclusion: The Cultural Significance of Qingming Festival

Qingming is more than just a day of remembrance—it is a celebration of life and continuity, a time to honor those who came before us, and a moment to reflect on our connection to the natural world and our cultural heritage. The festival invites us to pause and appreciate the world around us, to listen to the wind, feel the earth, and remember the people and experiences that have shaped our lives.

Qingming Festival reminds us that through remembrance, we find wisdom; through honoring our ancestors, we ensure the preservation of our cultural legacy. It is a day to reflect on life’s impermanence while celebrating the enduring bonds that tie us to the past, present, and future.