5th April is Qingming Festival.

Qing Ming, which means clear and bright in Chinese, falls on April 5th this year. It is both the fifth term in the traditional lunar calendar and a festival to hold memorial ceremony for the dead. It is a time to express one's grief for his lost relatives. An ancient elegiac poem, which described a grievous woman, was read that vines tangled in vain and weeds crept in the graveyard, and her husband slept there lonely. It was so difficult to endure for her as if summer in the day and winter at night. And her only wish was to reunite with him after death. (Written by our column writer Hao Zhuo)
​

 

There are subtle differences between people of different countries in the ways they remember the dead and departed.

For the Chinese people, there are two special day in each year(QingMing & Chongyang) where the family would visit the graves and pay their respect. They regard these dates as "Festival" too. The cemetery is kind of deserted in the rest of the year and most people do not visit them. However, as far as I know, people in the Western countries would visit their departed more often as and when they feel the need to. They do not have fixed dates.

The following is the remaining of the story of QingMing by the same author Hao Zhuo as quoted by Happyganl above.

Qing Ming, which means clear and bright in Chinese, falls on April 4th this year. It is both the fifth term in the traditional lunar calendar and a festival to hold memorial ceremony for the dead. It is a time to express one's grief for his lost relatives. An ancient elegiac poem, which described a grievous woman, was read that vines tangled in vain and weeds crept in the graveyard, and her husband slept there lonely. It was so difficult to endure for her as if summer in the day and winter at night. And her only wish was to reunite with him after death.

People often go to sweep and weed graves with whole family and take a walk in the countryside as well. In Tang Dynasty, the habit of taking an excursion on this day was developed. At this time, spring returns and dominates the earth again. The feel of growing life is in the air, with sap ascending in trees and buds bursting. And the willow branches inserted on door/gate of people's houses add vigor and vitality to the surroundings. But it actually means more than that. This custom can be traced back to over one thousand years ago.

During the Period of Spring and Autumn in the Jin Kingdom, one of the King's sons was called Chong Er. Jealous of his talent, a concubine falsely accused him of rebellion so as to make her son the crown prince. He had no choice but to flee and with him were some officials. They hid themselves in a mountain and went hungry for quite some time. An official named Jie Zitui took great pain to cut some flesh from his thigh and cooked it for Chong Er. When the fact was known the young master was moved to tears and knelt down in gratitude. And Jie replied his best repayment would be the master becomes a just king. They lived a life of hunger and cold for three years until the evil concubine died. Many soldiers were sent to look for him and to escort him back home. Going into the carriage, he saw an official packed an old mat onto a horse. He said laughingly, 'What on earth is the use of that? Throw it away!' Jie Zitui heard it and sighed, 'It is hardship that can be shared with his majesty but not prosperity.' So he went away quietly and lived in seclusion with his old mother.

As Chong Er finally became king, he rewarded many people but he forgot Jie Zitui. He did not realize it until he was reminded. However Jie Zitui refused his invitation and he flared up. Soldiers were ordered to burn up the mountain to force Jie to come out. Finally they found Jie and his mother scorched under a willow. He would rather die than yield to the power. Chong Er was so overwhelmed with regret that he ordered people to hold memorial ceremony for Jie. So every year on that day folks mourned for Jie and the day before only eat cold meals, which means to avoid making fire. Later the custom of inserting willow branches on gates was also added.

Written by our column writer Hao Zhuo.

 

haha.I only choose first part of this article.

 

Is it not standard to have grave keepers or tenders to keep graveyards "manicured" throughout the year in China? Years ago, my brother took a job to mow grass and trim shrubs around Loudon Park.. Which (at least then) is the east coast of Americas largest graveyard. They had a huge crew that kept the grounds throughout the year.

I have found it customary (in america) to visit the dead on there birthdays and other anniversaries that were important to the dead. (While they were living)


from loudon-park.com:

LOUDON PARK CEMETERY


Loudon Park is Baltimore’s largest cemetery, encompassing 350 acres and 15 miles of paved roads. Since 1853, the beauty and serene atmosphere of Loudon Park Cemetery have provided peace and comfort to area families. History is reflected throughout the park, with its simple headstones, mournful statues and stately monuments adorned with handcrafted figures and funerary urns.

Over 2,300 Union soldiers and more than 600 Confederate soldiers are buried in Loudon Park. The park is also the resting place of Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the flag that flew over Fort McHenry during its bombardment by the British in1814. This famous flag inspired the writing of Francis Scott Key’s “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Also of note is the Weiskittel mausoleum—constructed of cast iron and painted silver—which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The mausoleum is the final resting place of the Weiskittel family, who were manufacturers of cast-iron stoves.

The luxurious park-like grounds are meticulously cared for and offer picturesque views, along with a variety of interment options. Two veterans gardens, Garden of Military Honor and Valor Hill, serve as lasting memorials for those who fought for their country. Maiden Choice Run is another highlight of the cemetery. It is a beautiful contemporary area featuring community mausoleums, crematory and columbarium, and garden crypts. Loudon Park has been designed for expansion far into the future and will continue to combine over 150 years of service with the latest concepts in burial.

 

In England we are also having a long weekend to celebrate Easter (Friday to Monday). It is an ancient festival to celebrate the fact that massive eggs can be made out of chocolate. I'm not sure what the eggs were made of before chocolate was brought to England.

 

come out,hehe

 

Bill,you are rightfun

 

We get an extra day holiday this year because of a royal wedding, just after easter.

 

Are you sitting with a jug of wine while you are doing all these post.
Wine makes you post a lot.wine makes you Happy Is that how you
choose your name over jug of wine.

 

5th April is Qingming Festival.

Qing Ming, which means clear and bright in Chinese, falls on April 5th this year. It is both the fifth term in the traditional lunar calendar and a festival to hold memorial ceremony for the dead. It is a time to express one's grief for his lost relatives. An ancient elegiac poem, which described a grievous woman, was read that vines tangled in vain and weeds crept in the graveyard, and her husband slept there lonely. It was so difficult to endure for her as if summer in the day and winter at night. And her only wish was to reunite with him after death. (Written by our column writer Hao Zhuo)
​

i'm glad to read your message.
my grandmother actually died last night.
as strange chance makes it, it seems that i will be observing your festival.
for all the time i knew her, she expressed a deep appreciation of nature, and how its workings transcend all human endeavors. if you could see it possible to send the poem to me, i would very much appreciate, the story touches my heart.

 

I didnt find a proper poem,below one may some similar:

When will the moon be clear and bright?
With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the blue sky.
I don't know what season it would be in the heavens on this night.
I'd like to ride the wind to fly home.
Yet I fear the crystal and jade mansions are much too high and cold for me.
Dancing with my moon-lit shadow
It does not seem like the human world
The moon rounds the red mansion Stoops to silk-pad doors
Shines upon the sleepless Bearing no grudge
Why does the moon tend to be full when people are apart?
People may have sorrow or joy, be near or far apart
The moon may be dim or bright, wax or wane
This has been going on since the beginning of time
May we all be blessed with longevity Though far apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together.

 

I didnt find a proper poem,below one may some similar:

When will the moon be clear and bright?
With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the blue sky.
I don't know what season it would be in the heavens on this night.
I'd like to ride the wind to fly home.
Yet I fear the crystal and jade mansions are much too high and cold for me.
Dancing with my moon-lit shadow
It does not seem like the human world
The moon rounds the red mansion Stoops to silk-pad doors
Shines upon the sleepless Bearing no grudge
Why does the moon tend to be full when people are apart?
People may have sorrow or joy, be near or far apart
The moon may be dim or bright, wax or wane
This has been going on since the beginning of time
May we all be blessed with longevity Though far apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together.

thank you for this.
please tell me the title and author. i would like to read this at her funeral.
i love it and i think that my family would appreciate the sentiment.
thnkx,
brbr

 

p.s.
please p.m. me the chinese text! i will ask a friend to translate for me... sitting next to me.

 

original text I have sent.Title is 《水调歌头，明月几时有》author:苏轼。

the author write it to express the missing to his brother ,but most of content, beyond and more than missing family.

I am not sure if its appropriate to read funeral.your friend may give you advice

 

original text I have sent.Title is 《水调歌头，明月几时有》author:苏轼。

the author write it to express the missing to his brother ,but most of content, beyond and more than missing family.

I am not sure if its appropriate to read funeral.your friend may give you advice

thanks so much for the poetry and message. i find the sentiment beautiful.

 

no problem

Anyone else want to use chinese things,contact me

 

"Google translate" gives this result.

"Thinking of You, comparative study of" author: Su Shi.

hgmjr

 

"Google translate" gives this result.

"Thinking of You, comparative study of" author: Su Shi.

hgmjr

mmmm, well. i did a study of translating "the night before christmas" across several languages with babelfish.
santa became obama and the reindeer became a special committee meeting. i kid you not!