A day to recall our passed relatives and ancestors--Tomb sweeping day.
By Crystalxdr
@Crystalxdr (443)
China
April 1, 2008 9:45pm CST
The annual Tomb sweeping day comes the day after tomorrow,April 4th as a tradition in China.
On that day,every family will prepare some foods and hold a memorial ceremony for their dear elderships passed away in front of their tombs.The atmosphere of that day is full of solemnness and sorrow.Most commonly, people sweep the graveyard,offer sacrifices,burning spirit moneys to express respect to their forebears.
Unlike other festivals in China, Tomb sweeping day is wholely regarded as a day for descendants or offsprings to mourn for their died members.It has been one of the most important festivals among chinese people.
What is the day for you to memorize ancestors in your country?
3 responses
@Alfie1970 (257)
•
2 Apr 08
In Britain we mourn the loss of the soldiers from WWWI and WWII on 11/11 and we generally wear red poppies and the money raised goes to the British Legion which helps war veterans old and new, We call it rememberance day.
@Alfie1970 (257)
•
3 Apr 08
We have a 2 minute silence on rememberance sunday, being the nearest sunday to the 11th of November when WWI ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, hence the saying the 11th hour. If you watch it on BBC you'll know that the Queen leads the ceremony with current and veteren service people to the cenetaph in central london where she lays a wreath, the same is replecated through out the country - hope that helps?
@yingui (74)
• China
4 Apr 08
Yeah ,that lies the meaning of this day.Tomb sweeping day is a day for those who still alive to recall their dear elderships passed away .However ,it is ridiculous to find that it has become a suppliment of Labors' day.College students leap at the chance to travel around.Considered many ingridents ,they are not constrained to hold the ceremony.But I take it as rather silly
@lkbooi (16070)
• Malaysia
2 Apr 08
Hi Crystalxdr, we Chinese in Malaysia do hold a memorial ceremony in front the tombs of our beloved and respected passed away elderships. Though the actual day falls on the 4th of April, we could have our tomb sweeping within the period 10 days before or after the actual date. Yeah, it is a great day in Chinese tradition to pay respect to our late ancestors. Lots of people working outstation do hurry back to their countries to join this meaningful ceremony. We usually bring along with us some fruits, desserts and spirit moneys and other sacrifices to be offered our forebears.
