Cheng Ming Festival - Ching Ming Festival has a long rich history and we have got the best activities to celebrate this cultural holiday.

Cheng Ming Festival 2024 – April 4, 2024

This year, the Ching Ming Festival will be marked on April 5. The festival is usually observed 15 days after the spring equinox, calculated from the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. It falls on day one of the fifth solar term. The day is also called Chinese Memorial Day, Tomb-Sweeping Day, and Ancestors Day. On this day, Chinese families visit and clean the tombs of their deceased family members. A few festival activities include tomb cleaning, praying to the ancestors, burning joss sticks and paper, and making ritual offerings. Read on to learn more about this cultural significant holiday.

History of Cheng Ming Festival

The Ching Ming (‘Qingming’) Festival is a 2,500-year-old Chinese tradition mainly observed by the Han Chinese of mainland China. It also has roots in the Hanshi or Cold Food Festival, which remembers the tale of ‘Jie Zitui.’ According to the legend, while in exile, Jie Zitui once cut the flesh from his thighs to make soup for his master, Prince Chong’er. When the prince got his power back and became the duke, he tried to bring Jie to court. Jie saw corruption in politics and chose to retire to the forest.The duke gave the order to set fire to the forest, hoping that it would smoke Jie out, but Jie and his mother died in the forest fire. Filled with remorse, the duke erected a temple in his honor. People stopped lighting fires for a month to honor the memory of Jie. People had to consume cold food during the festival since the use of fire was prohibited. The festival lasted a month and resulted in hardship, malnutrition, and a few deaths due to cold food intake during cold winters. Because of this, it was reduced to three days during the three kingdom period in China. The festival was also shifted to spring to avoid further casualties during the harsh winters.The Ching Ming Festival is a day for cleaning the tombs of your loved ones and ancestors, a tradition that is still strong in China, even after 2,500 years.

Cheng Ming Festival timeline

655 B.C.
The Exile of Prince Chong'er

Jie Zitui, a nobleman from the state of Jin, follows his master, Price Chong'er, into exile.

636 B.C.
The Duke Chong'er of Jin

Duke Mu of Qin invades Jin and enthrones Chong'er as the new Duke.

636 B.C.
The Death of Jie Zitui

Jie Zitui dies in a forest fire.

300 B.C. to 201 B.C.
The Three-Day Hanshi Festival

Authorities limit the number of days for the Hanshi Festival from a month to three days.

Cheng Ming Festival FAQs

Why is Ching Ming celebrated?

It is an important day for most people to visit and sweep tombs and commemorate their ancestors.

What does Qingming symbolize?

The name ‘Qingming’ symbolizes springtime. It is a day for people to go outside, enjoy the greenery, and look after the graves of those who have died.

What can I burn for Ching Ming?

Burning joss paper — and sometimes, real money — is a traditional Chinese practice. They believe it’s a means of sending money and material goods to their ancestors.

How to Observe Cheng Ming Festival

  1. Clean the tombs

    The day is best observed by cleaning the tombs of your loved ones. Cut the weeds and overgrown foliage, burn incense, and offer your respects and prayers to your ancestors.

  2. Light a ‘God’s Lantern’

    Thousands of lanterns flying through the sky is an iconic sight of the day. Prepare a god’s lantern and let it fly at night after lighting it.

  3. Go on spring outings

    This is an important day for self-care. Take a day off and wander through the beautiful woods, adoring the flowery fragrance and the beauty of nature.

5 Facts About Ching Ming Festival

  1. The Qingming pastry

    The main pastry eaten on the day is ‘Qingming’ made from glutinous rice flour blended with freshly-pressed wormwood juice.

  2. The use of chrysanthemums

    Chrysanthemum flowers are offered on the tombs on Ching Ming Day.

  3. Burn for afterlife

    People burn goods and sometimes money as an offering to their dead relatives.

  4. It is a national event

    The festival was listed as one of the Chinese national cultural heritage events on May 20, 2006.

  5. The pure bright festival

    It is also known as Qingming Festival which means ‘Pure Bright Festival.’

Why Cheng Ming Festival is Important

  1. A time to honor your ancestors

    We love and appreciate culture and tradition. Ching Ming festival is an important day to celebrate culture, family values, and our ancestors.

  2. A time to enjoy spring

    The day falls just two weeks after the spring equinox. It is a perfect holiday to spend in nature, enjoying the good vibes and lush greenery of the world.

  3. A tale of sacrifice and loyalty

    The festival is based on the story of Jie Zitui. It is a good day to understand his loyalty and sacrifice, and his unfortunate death.

Cheng Ming Festival dates

Year Date Day
2022 April 5 Tuesday
2023 April 5 Wednesday
2024 April 4 Thursday
2025 April 4 Friday
2026 April 5 Sunday