Gregorian Date
April 5, 2006
Lunar Date
3/8
Day of Week
Wednesday
Qingming Festival (清明节 / Tomb-Sweeping Day) combines an ancient solar term with the Cold Food (Hanshi) custom. Folk tradition links Hanshi to Jie Zitui, a loyal official of the Spring and Autumn state of Jin. In 732 CE, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang limited formal tomb rites to around Qingming, helping merge ancestor veneration, tomb sweeping, and spring outings into the festival known today.
Qingming Festival (清明节/清明節), also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, is both a solar term and a traditional festival. It is a time to honor ancestors and deceased family members.
Families visit the graves of their ancestors, clean tombstones, offer food and incense, and burn joss paper. It is also a time for spring outings (踏青) and flying kites.
Qingtuan (green glutinous rice balls), cold foods
Derived from the Cold Food Festival commemorating Jie Zitui, a loyal man who died in a fire.
Do not visit friends or relatives, do not wear bright colors.
Chinese New Year
Jan 29
Lantern Festival
Feb 12
Hung Kings Festival
Apr 7
Easter
Apr 16
Vietnam Reunification Day
Apr 30
Dragon Boat Festival
May 31
Qixi Festival
Jul 31
Vietnam Independence Day
Sep 2
Chinese National Day
Oct 1
German Unity Day
Oct 3
Mid-Autumn Festival
Oct 6
Double Ten Day
Oct 10
Double Ninth Festival
Oct 30