subject: Tomb Sweeping Day - In Memory Of Departed Souls [print this page] Tomb Sweeping Day in Beijing, China is an important event celebrated by the locals. This national holiday is based on the Chinese solar calendar and generally falls on the 4th or 5th of April every year. This cultural occasion is also known by several names by the people of China which are the Pure Bright Festival, Grave Sweeping Day and All Souls Day. This is the time of year when the locals visit gravesites of their loved ones who no longer share the world with them.
Cleaning the tomb sites is an integral part of the rituals which are honored along with the number of other ritualistic practices that include offering food to the departed souls and lighting special candles which omit pleasing fragrances. It is also believed that these spirits should be appeased by following such ritualistic methods to avoid them returning to the earthly world as hungry ghosts.
Celebration of the festival is said to have begun more than 2500 years ago when the great Emperor Tang ruled the lands. Waving willow branches is another activity which is said to chase away evil spirits who are attracted to these ceremonious rituals. Although Tomb Sweeping Day is remembered in memory of the dead, this time of year is of significance to local farmers as well, who harvest their crops during the month of April.
Kite flying is a popular activity among visitors to the country during these festive times. The kites that can be seen are for the most part made of bamboo and are modeled in the shape of traditional Chinese characters that signify a long and prosperous life and good fortune. Other colorful kites designed to imitate the shape of scorpions, dragonflies and even butterflies can be spotted in the skies of Beijing during this time of year.
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