Various celebrations in Pure Brightness Festival

Last time, we have told you what the Pure Brightness Festival is in China. However, this Chinese learning lesson will present you with different celebrations taking palce on that day, which is good for learning Chinese folk customs.

Sweeping the Tomb

Commonly referred to as shang fen，it is a way to offer sacrifices to deceased ancestors．Many people of the Han ethnic group as well as a few minority groups，sweep their family’s tombs on the Pure Brightness Festival．According to old customs，

0n this day before noon，people bring the three lives (chicken，fish，and meat)，wine，tea，rice，and paper scrolls，to the front of their ancestor’s grave．In advance，they arrange the papers above of the grave，using green and red paper cut into tassels. The tassels placed above the grave flutter in the wind，letting it be known to other people that the tomb’s occupant has a later generation．At this time，prepared food，steamed wine，and tea are placed in front of the tombs of close relatives．They also burn

ritual money and light firecrackers，ultimately kneeling with one’s head to the ground (kowtow) in respect．In some places on Pure Brightness Day，the family will repair the tomb or symbolically add earth to the head of the grave．

Tree planting

Around the time of Pure Brightness Day, the spring’s yang energy is quite prevalent，rain showers the earth，newly planted trees sprout tall and quickly mature in growth. Therefore，since the ancient times．China has practiced the custom of planting trees on this festival．In l979，the National People Congress Standing Committee designated every March 12 as China’s Arbor Day. This encourages every citizens of the country to take an active role in the reforestation of his or her motherland，and has become an extremely significant activity.

Flying Kites

During the Pure Brightness Festival，not only do people fly kites during the day，but also at night．During the night，attached to the bottom of the kite or the string are small multi-colored lanterns that glimmer like stars, thus being named divine lanterns. In ancient times, people would let the kite go into sky by cutting the string and allow it to fly to the ends of the earth. It is said that this removes sickness and calamity while bringing the person good luck.

Swinging

Accoring to this online Chinese lesson, swinging refers to grabbing a piece of leather rope with which to sway oil. In ancient times, people tied the rope to a branch on a tree，then on to a wooden peg and colored ribbon，thus making a swing. They differ from modern swings that are made of two ropes attached to a seat Swinging not only promotes health，but call also foster bravery and quite fond of the activity，especially young children．

OK, with many online Chinese lessons, you can learn other Chinese festival, such as spring festival, mid-autumn festival. See you next time!