Qing Ming Jie (清明节), which stands for “Clear and Bright Festival” or “Pure and Bright Festival”, is similar to All Souls’ Day observed in the Western world. It is a festival that falls in early April, 106 days after the December winter solstice. Filial piety and ancestral worship are highlighted during Qing Ming. Family members will visit cemeteries and columbaria with food and other offerings for deceased relatives, marking this important period of remembrance.
Qing Ming Jie is argued to be originated from Han Shi Jie (寒食节), also known as “Cold Food Festival”. It originally started out as a festival for the elites during the Zhou Dynasty (1125 – 255BC). It was only after the Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 23) that Qing Ming became a festival for the masses.
Qing Ming was brought over by early Chinese settlers, and it continues to be observed in Singapore, closely resembling the practices in China. It is also known to be the “Tomb Sweeping Day” (“saomu”), where families clean and tidy up the graves of their loved ones. However in Singapore, due to the limitation in space for burial grounds, this practice has evolved to include cleaning the columbarium niches of their ancestors too. In line with traditional practice, visits to ancestors’ graves, niches or tablets can be made within 10 days before or after Qing Ming.
Other interesting facts to know about Qing Ming:
- Important to pray to Hou Tu 后土 (also known as “Earth Deity”) – the guardians of the area.
We usually pay our respects to the Earth Deity before paying respects to our ancestors as a form of respect and to also pray for the offerings to be protected against wandering spirits.
- Do not burn the candles with the joss offerings!
The lit up candles are believed to shine a light and bring brightness to the family and the spirits of ancestors. They are also believed to represent the sun and the moon gods (日月神). If the candles are burnt along with the joss offerings, this is believed to be burning away the light and brightness that it brings to the family and the spirits of ancestors. - No one will greet “Happy Qingming” as it is inappropriate. However it is also uncommon for people to send wishes on this day. Here are some suggestions for you if you’d like to give a greeting:
– Wishing that everything goes smoothly 清明顺利
– Wishing you peace on Qingming 清明平安
References:
https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_842_2005-01-03.html
https://singaporeccc.org.sg/media_room/honour-and-learn-about-qingming-festival-with-the-singapore-chinese-cultural-centre/
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