Clear and Bright
Apr 4–6 · 木 · Wood
Typically falls on April 4–6. The name means 'clear and bright,' reflecting clear skies and vibrant life of spring. This is both a solar term and one of China's most important festivals.
Qīngmíng is both a solar term and one of China's most important festivals — a day for honoring ancestors. Families sweep ancestral graves, offer food and tea, and burn spirit money. Despite its grave-tending origins, Qīngmíng is also a time for spring outings, kite-flying, and appreciating the beauty of spring flowers.
Sweet Green Rice Balls (青团, Qīngtuán) — colored with barley grass, symbolizing vitality of spring. Willowed chicken and fresh tea are also traditional. Willow branches were hung on doors to ward off evil spirits.
Story: Qīngmíng combines the sorrow of ancestral remembrance with the joy of spring's renewal. The name refers to the clear, bright weather of early April. Kites flown on this day were believed to carry away bad luck and misfortune.
Qīngmíng falls during peak allergy season. The barley grass in traditional Qīngtuán actually has anti-inflammatory properties that may help. If you're outdoors enjoying spring outings, consider local honey as a natural way to build allergy resistance.
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