清明節(jié)（Tomb-Sweeping Day） Qing Ming Jie（All Souls' Day）

　　Qing Ming is a time to remember the dead and the dearly departed. More   important, it is a period to honour and to pay respect to one's deceased ancestors and family members. Because it reinforces the ethic of filial piety, Qing Ming is a major Chinese festival.

　　Literally meaning "clear" (Qing) and "bright" (Ming), this Chinese festival falls in early spring, on the 106th day after the winter solstice. It is a "spring" festival, and it is an occasion for the whole family to leave the home and to sweep the graves of their forebears. Chinese being practical people this sweeping of the graves is given an extended period, that is, 10 days before and after Qing Ming day. Among some dialect groups a whole month is allocated.

　　清明節(jié)是一個紀念祖先的節(jié)日。主要的紀念儀式是掃墓，掃墓是慎終追遠、郭親睦鄰及行孝的具體表現(xiàn)；基于上述意義，清明節(jié)因此成為華人的重要節(jié)日。 清明節(jié)是在仲春和暮春之交，也就是冬至后的106天。掃墓活動通常是在清明節(jié)的前十天或后十天。有些地域的人士的掃墓活動長達一個月。