Cherry blossoms fall gracefully as you walk through your neighborhood, enjoying another day of Spring. From the corner of your eye, you notice an unfamiliar scene: the typically somber cemetery is riddled with colorful offerings. As a gust of wind blows your way, the exotic fragrances of incense permeate the air.  Throughout the graveyard, you see some families sweeping the tombs, others presenting offerings. What could this special occasion be? 

On the fifteenth day after the Spring Equinox (either April 4th, 5th, or 6th), Chinese communities around the world celebrate China’s Qingming (清明) Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day. Customs of the Qingming Festival originated from the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE), where emperors held lavish ceremonies in honor of their ancestors and asked for blessings of good harvests. These practices remained unofficial until the emperor of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) declared that respect must be formally paid on the first day of the Qingming solar term. Since then, the wealthy and common alike have swept tombs on the designated day as part of the tradition. 

Today, Chinese families celebrate the Qingming Festival in a variety of ways. Many clean and decorate the graves of deceased family members, placing willow branches at the tomb, displaying offerings of tea and wine, and burning incense and spirit money (joss paper). Additionally, families pray directly to their ancestors or to a deity for familial blessings. After taking to the graves, families participate in outdoor activities. It is common to see celebrants dancing, flying kites, and wearing willow branches on their heads (the simple limb is considered mystical and able to ward off evil spirits). In the backdrop of lively celebration, families eat traditional foods such as green rice balls, Qingming cakes, and peach blossom porridge. 

Although the Qingming Festival originated in China, it is celebrated in a diverse group of Asian countries including South Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. Each country has different traditions and rituals when celebrating the festival, but they all focus on visiting and remembering ancestors. While some Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore and Malaysia don’t recognize the Qingming Festival as a public holiday, these overseas communities still take the festival seriously and observe its traditions faithfully. Indeed, many will take annual leave in order to participate in the festivities and ceremonial activities with their families.

Outside of Asia, the Qingming Festival is often misinterpreted as ancestral worship. In reality, it is a Confucian form of filial piety given to deceased ancestors. The tenet of filial piety calls for selflessness and devotion for our elders, which keeps us grounded and connected to our roots. Confucius himself cited xiao (孝), an attitude of obedience towards one’s elders, as the basis of humanity.

Certainly, honoring the people who came before allows us to have a deeper understanding of their challenges. Their stories remind us that although hardships may seem overwhelming, life rewards perseverance. Praying to ancestors doesn’t aim to idolize, but to commemorate and acknowledge. As Chinese philosopher Zengzi once said, “Filial Piety is the principle of Heaven, the righteousness of Earth, and the [proper] conduct of the people.”