Tomb Sweeping Day in Taiwan ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of Tomb Sweeping Day in Taiwan and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of Tomb Sweeping Day in Taiwan and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Tomb Sweeping Day, also known as Qingming Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls on the 104th day after the winter solstice. The holiday is usually observed in late March or early April. On this day, people visit the graves of their ancestors to pay their respects and clean the tombstones.
The holiday has its origins in the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE), when the ruling class would make offerings to their ancestors at the grave sites. This practice was later adopted by the general population. In the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), the holiday was officially established as Qingming Festival.
During the Qingming Festival, people typically visit the graves of their ancestors, sweep the tombstones clean, and offer food, wine, and paper money. The food and wine are meant for the ancestors’ enjoyment in the afterlife, while the paper money is used to buy them things they need.
The holiday is also a time for families to get together and enjoy the outdoors. Many people take advantage of the break from work to go on picnics or hike in the mountains.
In recent years, the holiday has taken on a more commercialized feel, with businesses offering special Qingming packages that include everything from tombstone cleaning to food and wine.