清明 where can i learn about it?

[geek_frappa]

where is a good 中文 website to learn about Qing Ming? where can I find the most detailed view of about this holiday?

do we say "清明快樂"....?

it's sensitive topic for many Chinese i can see...

but any help would be great. thanks.

[Quest]

清明快樂

[skylee]

I am sure if you google for 清明節 you will find a lot of information.

In HK, the day is like a day of family gathering and picnicking, only that they take place in cemetaries ususally in remote areas. I used to visit the tomb of an uncle when I was little, and invariably we brought roasted pork, chicken etc. And after cleaning the tomb and performing the necessary ceremony, we ate everything we brought inside the cemetery (everybody did this).

Because it is spring it is usually humid on this day but there are always lots of hill fires because people burn incense in the wild.

We repeat this (go to cemeteries/mountains with food and pay respect to the deceased) on 重陽節.

清明快樂 is .

[geek_frappa]

i find information about Qing Ming on the Internet but the infromation is all the same and sentimental. i was hoping to get a good source online that explains more aspects.

i guess i will just go to the library and do some research.

thanks for your help and i will remember.

<-------------

[Ian_Lee]

The attributes of Qing Ming are:

(1) Qing Ming is China's Memorial Day. But ironically it is not listed as public holiday in either Mainland China nor Taiwan (Neither are other Chinese festivals like Mid-Autumn, Dragon Boat, ChongYang,...etc) while it is in Hong Kong. .

(2) Every primary school kid in any Chinese community knows well this Qing Ming poem by 杜牧:

清明时节雨纷纷，

路上行人欲断魂

借问酒家何处有

牧童遥指杏花村

(3) As the above poem mentioned, most likely the weather in Qing Ming is wet or drizzling;

(4) According to gourmet, Qing Ming is the season for devouring goose;

(5) Qing Ming recently makes a big comeback in Mainland China. Some of the goodies that are "burnt" in front of the deceased ancestors' graveyards include fancy paper-made villas with blonde girls attached;

(6) I guess its origin must be based on the traditional rituals that the Chinese Emperors revere the God two times a year in public during Spring and Autumn.

(7) And of course, Qing Ming can also mean trouble. Remember what had happened in Qing Ming 15 years ago?

[geek_frappa]

thanks, ian_lee. i see this holiday in a clearer light.

but what happened 15 years ago?

hmmm...

...mmm

i just did a search on Baidu for 清明 music. what is the significance of music to this holiday? are people depressed for a day then move on with their lives or is this a day of finding contentment?

http://mp3.baidu.com/m?tn=baidump3&ct=134217728&rn=&word=%C7%E5%C3%F7&lm=-1

i downloaded 清明上河图

is this meant to get you in the mood?

somber and serious? or is meant to help you reflect?

[skylee]

Bump (wow a 2004 thread) because it is 清明節 today.

I think it is now a holiday on the Mainland, am I right?

[HedgePig]

Yes, skylee, it is a holiday on the mainland. I think 清明节 has been a holiday for about 3 years now. This year both Monday and Tuesday are holidays although Saturday was a working day to make up for one of the days off.

I also noticed that in the area where we live, quite a few shops were closed yesterday - normally something I only see around Chinese New Year. (I haven't yet wandered out today.)

[abcdefg]

I think it is now a holiday on the Mainland, am I right?

Here in Kunming most of my friends had 3 days off work: Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (April 3rd, 4th,and 5th.) The streets were quiet with much thinner traffic than usual. The nearby Number 10 middle school was shut down. Quite a few small stores closed, but it was not difficult to find places to eat like during the heart of 春节.